Hundreds of passengers travelling from Kaduna to Abuja on the Nigerian Railway Corporation’s train service on Monday June 28, were left stranded in the bust after the train developed mechanical failure minutes after leaving Rigasa station in Kaduna state.
A passenger reportedly claimed that the train had initially stopped twice before it finally broke down in Dutse, Kaduna state around 7am.
Paschal Nnorli, the Abuja/Kaduna Train Service Station Manager, confirmed the incident in a statement, saying the train broke down as a result of engine failure but another locomotive had been sent to go as a rescue facility.
“It is true that our first train service this morning broke down in Kaduna but it was due to a mechanical failure that happens to machines generally,” he told Punch.
Nnorli added, “However, the important thing is our ability to respond and come to the rescue. We sent a rescue locomotive and as at about 10am I was told that the locomotive had arrived at the location.”
Last year, the Minister of Transportation engine Rotimi Amaechi had assured that locomotives on the Abuja-Kaduna rail route that have broken down up to two times will be returned to China.
He said, “It is worrisome that these locomotives that are brand new are failing,” Amaechi said during an inspection in Lagos.
