News

NSIB Opens Probe after Abuja-Kaduna Train Derails with 618 Passengers on Board

Published

5 months ago

August 27, 2025

Eric

The Nigeria Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has commenced probe into the Abuja-Kaduna train that derailed in Kaduna, triggering panic among passengers.

The incident occurred along the Kaduna corridor shortly after the train departed Abuja around 11am, en route Kaduna.

A passenger on board the train described the scene as chaotic, with people scrambling to safety in fear and confusion.

In a statement on Tuesday, NSIB’s Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance, Bimbo Oladeji, said preliminary reports indicate that six passengers sustained injuries, with no fatalities recorded.

The Bureau said it has dispatched a go-team to the site to collect evidence, liaise with stakeholders, and investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.

It quoted the NSIB Director General, Alex Badeh Jr., as expressing sympathy for those affected.

“We deeply sympathise with all who sustained injuries. The Bureau has deployed investigators to the site to ensure the root cause of this derailment is uncovered. Our commitment is to ensure safer rail transport for Nigerians through a transparent and independent investigation,” Badeh said.

The Bureau stated that the investigation will examine both direct and underlying factors contributing to the derailment, to issue recommendations to prevent future incidents. Updates will be provided as the investigation progresses.

NSIB also extended support to all passengers impacted by the accident.

On his part, Kaduna State governor, Uba Sani, has directed that every necessary support be extended to passengers of the Abuja-Kaduna bound train that derailed, to minimize the impact of the unfortunate incident.

Sani also ordered the immediate treatment of any injured persons, as well as providing emergency psycho-socio support to them.

The Commissioner of Information-designate, Ahmed Maiyaki, that Governor Sani also called on residents to remain calm and go about their normal activities, assuring the public that the situation is under control.

He sympathised with the passengers and their families over this regrettable occurrence and reaffirms the government’s commitment to the safety and well-being of all residents and visitors.

The statement further said that investigations are ongoing to ascertain the immediate cause of the derailment, adding that the state government is closely monitoring the situation in collaboration with relevant federal authorities and security agencies.

Meanwhile, the Management of the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) confirmed that six passengers sustained minor injuries and have since been treated. It stated that the number of passengers onboard has not been ascertained yet, although there are speculations that no fewer than 618 passengers were on board the ill-fated train.

It also announced the suspension of train operations on the Abuja-Kaduna route until further notice.

Some of the passengers on board the train described the scene as chaotic, as they scrambled to safety in fear and confusion. Military personnel and other security operatives were said to have been deployed to the scene to provide security to the stranded passengers and assist in evacuating them to a safer area.

News

Two Rivers Lawmakers Step Down from Impeachment Proceedings Against Fubara, Sue for Peace

Published

2 days ago

January 12, 2026

Eric

Two members of the Rivers House of Assembly, who are loyalists of former Governor Nyesom Wike, have withdrawn from the impeachment move against Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers.

The Minority Leader of the assembly, Sylvanus Enyinna Nwankwo, and Peter Abbey, who represents Degema State Constituency, urged their colleagues to exercise restraint and allow for dialogue to maintain stability in the state

In a video widely circulated on Facebook and an excerpt published by Rivers State Television, the lawmakers urged their colleagues to prioritise the overall interest and stability of Rivers above partisan disagreements.

Call for ‘cooling-off period’

The legislators stressed that the prevailing political climate demands calm, dialogue and a “cooling-off period” within the assembly to allow, in their words, “wisdom and truth to prevail” in the legislative chambers.

Although they did not expressly mention the impeachment process during the briefing, their intervention is being interpreted by political observers as a withdrawal from the impeachment push against Mr Fubara, which has heightened tensions in the state.

Background to impeachment moves

The Rivers assembly parted ways with Mr Fubara because of the feud between the governor and Mr Wike, who is the FCT minister.

The current impeachment notice on Mr Fubara is the third attempt in less than three years to remove the governor. The previous efforts had split the legislature into two factions, causing President Bola Tinubu to declare a six-month state of emergency in the oil-rich state and suspend the governor, the deputy governor, and the lawmakers.

The lawmakers accused the governor of constitutional breaches and administrative misconduct, allegations his supporters have dismissed as politically motivated.

Source: Premium Times

News

I Won’t Surrender Rivers N700bn IGR to Anyone, Fubara Vows

Published

6 days ago

January 8, 2026

Eric

Rivers State governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has resisted alleged pressure to hand over N700 billion, representing 35% of the State’s internally generated revenue (IGR), to anyone, sparking a heated power struggle with former Governor Nyesom Wike, now Federal Capital Territory (FCT) minister.

The dispute has raised concerns about the welfare of Rivers State residents, with 4.4 million people living in multidimensional poverty.

The feud between Fubara and Wike, who unilaterally chose Fubara as his successor, has escalated into violent confrontations, defections, and legal battles.

Wike has threatened to make Rivers State “ungovernable” if Fubara fails comply, while his supporters have vowed to “deal with” Fubara.

In response, Fubara has warned that he cannot be intimidated, saying: “Rivers State is not a playground” and that he’s prepared to defend the state’s interest.

His supporters have also threatened to mobilise protests against Wike and his allies.

The crisis had paralysed governance, prompting President Bola Tinubu to declare a six-month emergency rule in the State last year.

The situation remains tense, with both sides maintaining their respective stance.

The outcome will have significant implications for Rivers State and Nigerian politics.

The dispute highlights concerns about godfatherism in Nigerian politics and its impact on governance.

Wike has accused Fubara of ingratitude, while Fubara sees the former’s demands as an attempt to undermine his authority.

News

Rivers Assembly Begins Impeachment Proceedings Against Fubara

Published

6 days ago

January 8, 2026

Eric

The Rivers State House of Assembly has commenced impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

The legislature kicked off the process at plenary on Thursday.

The lawmakers are accusing Fubara and his deputy of gross misconduct.

Speaker of the House, Martin Amaewhule, is presiding over the session.

The day’s proceedings bear the imprimatur of renewed hostilities between Fubara and his predecessor Nyesom Wike, minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

On December 5, 2025, a horde of the Rivers assembly lawmakers led by the speaker, announced their defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Days later, Fubara formalised his own switch from the PDP to the APC.

However, the sabre-rattling and thinly veiled remarks between Wike and Fubara, which culminated in the declaration of emergency rule in the state in March 2025, have persisted.

Most of the Rivers lawmakers have stayed loyal to Wike.

TheCable