NRC Management Regrets Derailment of Kano-Bound Train as Four die in Jebba

NRC Management Regrets Derailment of Kano-Bound Train as Four die in Jebba

The management of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has described the derailment of Kano-bound train as unfortunate and regrettable as it also sympathized with the families of the victims involved in the accident.

Four people-three male and a female-were confirmed dead in the accident involving a Lagos-Kano intercity passenger train which occurred at the entrance point of railway station in Jebba bordering Niger and Kwara States.

THISDAY learnt that the accident which happened in the early hours of last Saturday involved two baggage vans and a power car coach which capsized, adversely affecting the coach (guard van) next to them.

The NRC Director of Public Relation (DPR), Abdulrauf Akinwoye, who spoke to THISDAY on the phone today stated that the corporation acting Managing Director, Fidet Ohkiria, who was at the scene of the derailment lamented that: "It is an unfortunate incident and he really sympathized with the families of the affected victims.

"So far our men are at the site working to ensure that the track is restored while all trains across the rail network nationwide are moving normally. It all happened at Jebba and as I speak we are on site."

The acting MD reassured all commuters of the commitment of the NRC to ensure continued safety and comfort on board all trains, saying they should not entertain any fear and that railway remains the safest mode of transportation.

Akinwoye said the four people who were confirmed dead died inside the guard van which usually houses the security men on board the train. As at the time of filing this report, it was not clear which of the arms of the security that lost its personnel.

There are usually policemen and private guards on board the train.

Besides one passenger coach derailed standing in the incident, it was gathered.

The bodies of the dead, according the the DPR have been deposited at the mortuary, while three people others who sustained injuries have been treated at the hospital, discharged and continued their journey to Kano.

Following the incident, the entire management team and engineers of the corporation led by Okhiria have relocated Jebba where the unfortunate incedent took place

Akinwoye revealed to THISDAY that Investigations are said to be ongoing to unravel the course of the incident, adding that the remaining stocks of the train had since continued the journey.

He noted that the incident had not disrupted the movement of “our train operations as all our train network remain steady in operation all over the country.”

He added Nigerians not to be discouraged by the odd incident as the NRC management is on top of the situation to avoid a repeat of the unfortunate accident, saying rescue and restoration of the tracks are still ongoing.