Capt. Alex Badeh Jnr., DG, NSIB
Director General, Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB), Capt. Alex Badeh Jnr. has called on the Federal Government and other relevant stakeholders to ensure adequate funding of activities of the NSIB to aid prompt and seamless investigations across all transport sectors.
Speaking on Tuesday while giving updates on the train derailment at Asham train station in Abuja, he said the Bureau needs more funding to purchase investigation equipment, train more investigators across the transport levels, among others.
The NSIB boss said the shortfall in funding is hampering Investigation, leading to delay of reports that should be made public promptly.
Capt. Badeh Jnr, who said the preliminary report would be ready in 23 days said: “This is a call on government and other critical stakeholders to address the shortfall in funding, adequate funding will enable us get necessary equipment, we should not wait until there’s catastrophe to get the funds, our investigations are to prevent future occurence. According to Rail regulations, preliminary report of this incident should be ready in 30 days as it happened on August 26.
“Although, some funds were made available but not enough , we are still battling with non-remmitance from Nigeria Maritime Administration Safety Agency (NIMASA) , this is a Bureau of government that should be funded adequately, we must train our investigators, we need to train more investigators, we need equipment for investigation “, he said.
The DG disclosed that the Bureau has, In accordance with the Railways (Investigation of Accidents and Incidents) Regulation 2024, established under the NSIB Act 2022, been notified and has instituted an independent investigation into this railway occurrence.
He added that the NSIB has appointed an Investigator-in-Charge (IIC) based on qualifications to organise, conduct, and control the investigation.
“The IIC has full access and control over the accident site, evidence, and relevant records, including the protection and custody of rolling stock, locomotives, contents, and other evidence to prevent disturbance or tampering. The NSIB may appoint technical experts to assist the IIC and may delegate parts of the investigation if needed, while ensuring coordination with any judicial panel or tribunal of inquiry.”, he said.
Giving an update on the development so far, Capt Badeh Jnr explained that the train, which consisted of eight passenger coaches with one locomotive at the front and one at the rear, departed Idu Station, Abuja, and shortly after passing a track changing point (switch/turnout) at Asham Station, five coaches derailed.
He added that the forward locomotive and two coaches overturned, while the rear locomotive and the last coach remained on the rail track.
“There were 583 persons on board, including crew. An eyewitness reported that approximately 50 passengers may have been injured, though many were taken away by their families. Official records confirmed 12 person sustain minor to moderate injuries. No fatalities recorded. The injured received first aid treatment and were transported to medical facilities for further examination. The NRC emergency team, supported by station military personnel and other security agencies, secured the site.
“The derailment resulted in significant damage to the track, sleepers, and switching mechanism. Services on the Abuja–Kaduna–Abuja corridor were temporarily suspended to allow for recovery and repairs.”, he said.
The ongoing investigation, according to the DG, includes: detailed inspection of the site, switch, track geometry, and infrastructure; review of NRC records; technical examination of locomotives, coaches, and other rolling stock; interviews with crew, staff, responders, passengers, and witnesses (with statements taken under affirmation where required); correlation of all evidence, including organisational information from the operator, to determine causal and contributing factors and analysis of any recorded data from accidents and incidents, ensuring protection of investigation records from unauthorised disclosure or use in judicial proceedings.
