Capt Alex Badeh Jr., Director General, DG, Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau, NSIB, addressed the media
One hundred and sixty eight hours after the occurrence of the most disturbing train derailment in the annals of train service since 1898, which predates the existence of the Nigeria state, the agency saddled with the task of unravelling the immediate and remote causes of the Tuesday, 26th August 2025, train derailment at the Asham intersection, Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau, NSIB, has publicly announced the grundnorm investigators will strictly adhere to, in accomplishing the daunting task statutorily thrown on the bureau’s shoulders.
At a media briefing of journalists present both virtually and in-person, Capt. Alex Badeh Jnr., Director General, DG, Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau, NSIB, narrated where and how the bureau will embark upon the investigation.
The NSIB DG said the bureau will leave no stone unturned to ensure the preliminary investigation report of the derailment sees the light of day, within 30 days of the incident.
The capsized coach laying across the railway track after the Accident
He stated that the investigators’ findings will not be subjected to any form of litigation, nor will they allow any personnel involved in the administration of train services in Nigeria to be culpable of any wrongdoing or allow any NRC personnel to be dragged before the court of law.
The briefing was delivered with good pictures of the incident’s scenes. The NSIB Chieftain also gave a recap of the occurrence and the responders’ reaction thus “emergency response and evacuation efforts were effectively managed, the occurrence underscores the importance of a comprehensive, independent safety investigation under the NSIB Regulation”.
According to Badeh Jr., “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 bent railway track after the Accident
He further said that, “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”.
In attending to the emotional and physical bruises suffered by passengers and crew in the train, Badeh Jr. said NSIB will offer “family assistance will be provided in line with Part 9, including coordination with providers such as government agencies, the NRC, and family associations to address the needs of victims, survivors, and their families (defined as spouses, children, parents, siblings, and grandparents). A coordinator may be appointed to ensure accurate information and support.
However, the briefing emphasised that a progress report would be made available through the media at the anniversary of the incident, as it was done on the 7th day of its occurrence.
The point at which the Train derailed
NSIB boss enthused, “Interim statements may be issued on the anniversaries of the accident to update progress and highlight any ongoing safety issues”.
Succinctly put, the briefing publicly narrated the grundnorm by which the entire investigation process will be done, in order to produce a foolproof report, that will be found impeccable if subjected to any form of critical appraisal locally and internationally.
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