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 techniques and lighting.
Passengers advised NAN that the lack of air-con and lighting occurred repeatedly throughout the journey, plunging coaches into darkness and warmth.
They mentioned the issue stemmed from an overheating energy unit supplying electrical energy for onboard companies.
Responding to the reviews, Mr Abubakar Bunma, Private Assistant on Media to NRC Managing Director Kayode Opeifa, clarified that it was the facility automotive, not the locomotive engine, that required cooling.
In keeping with him, the facility automotive incorporates 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.
Past technical points, passengers additionally reported difficulties with ticket bookings.
Many claimed the net platform was continuously unavailable, whereas some alleged that tickets had been resold unofficially at increased costs or issued with out seat numbers, resulting in confusion and overcrowding.
Bunma acknowledged that occasional failed bookings can debit passengers with out issuing tickets. These affected could have journeys rescheduled or, in some circumstances, be allowed to journey standing.
Ticket racketeering and reserving points on the Abuja–Kaduna route usually are not new.
Allegations of ticket hoarding and inflated resale costs at stations have compounded the challenges.
The Abuja–Kaduna rail hall, certainly one of Nigeria’s busiest passenger routes, has skilled repeated operational points past ticketing and overheating items.
In August 2025, a Kaduna-bound prepare suffered a “scorching axle” fault close to Rigasa Station, disrupting service for enterprise class passengers.
Additionally in August 2025, a Kaduna-bound prepare derailed at Asham shortly after departing Abuja.
In Might 2024, one other derailment was reported at Jeremy Station alongside the identical hall.
