Passengers on the Abuja–Kaduna rail service have reported lack of air con and lighting throughout journeys, leaving coaches darkish and overheated for prolonged durations.
The event was reported by the Information Company of Nigeria (NAN) following interviews with affected passengers.
Commuters mentioned the disruptions had been brought on by an onboard energy unit overheating, forcing attendants to intervene, which quickly shut down cooling methods and lighting.
What they’re saying
Passengers informed NAN that the lack of air con and lighting occurred repeatedly in the course of the journey, plunging coaches into darkness and warmth.
They mentioned the issue stemmed from an overheating energy unit supplying electrical energy for onboard providers.
- “Passengers additionally reported alarming mechanical points in the course of the journey.”
- “They claimed that the practice engine malfunctioned repeatedly and overheated to the extent that attendants had been seen pouring buckets of water on it.”
- “The passengers added that, every time this occurred, the cooling system and lighting within the coaches would shut down, inflicting the practice to gradual considerably,” the NAN report learn.
Responding to the stories, Mr Abubakar Bunma, Private Assistant on Media to NRC Managing Director Kayode Opeifa, clarified that it was the facility automobile, not the locomotive engine, that required cooling.
In accordance with him, the facility automobile comprises a generator that runs air con, lights, and bogs. He defined that when the unit overheats, attendants quickly flip it off, pour water on it, and restore energy.
Different challenges raised by commuters
Past technical points, passengers additionally reported difficulties with ticket bookings.
Many claimed the web platform was often unavailable, whereas some alleged that tickets had been resold unofficially at increased costs or issued with out seat numbers, resulting in confusion and overcrowding.
- Decreased each day practice journeys following the 2025 accident have elevated demand, notably on weekends.
- Overcrowding, prolonged journey occasions, and repair interruptions have eroded public confidence in a rail line as soon as thought-about a safer various to the Abuja–Kaduna freeway.
- NRC maintains that tickets embody routinely generated seat numbers linked to passengers’ names and Nationwide Identification Numbers (NIN), however failed bookings might end in rescheduled journeys or choices to face if no seats can be found.
Bunma acknowledged that occasional failed bookings can debit passengers with out issuing tickets. These affected might have journeys rescheduled or, in some circumstances, be allowed to journey standing.
Flashback
Ticket racketeering and reserving points on the Abuja–Kaduna route are usually not new.
- In September 2024, the Minister of Transportation, Mentioned Alkaki, ordered an investigation into allegations of ticket racketeering after passenger complaints. Fidet Okhiria, then-Managing Director of NRC, was tasked with establishing a committee to research and resolve the problems.
- Regardless of the NRC e-ticketing system, which requires passengers to register with private particulars, together with NIN, choose seats, and make funds on-line, passengers have persistently reported fast sell-outs and difficulties in reserving.
Allegations of ticket hoarding and inflated resale costs at stations have compounded the challenges.
What it is best to know
The Abuja–Kaduna rail hall, one in all Nigeria’s busiest passenger routes, has skilled repeated operational points past ticketing and overheating models.
In August 2025, a Kaduna-bound practice suffered a “scorching axle” fault close to Rigasa Station, disrupting service for enterprise class passengers.
Additionally in August 2025, a Kaduna-bound practice derailed at Asham shortly after departing Abuja.
In Could 2024, one other derailment was reported at Jeremy Station alongside the identical hall.
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