The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has called for renewed public trust in Nigeria’s transport infrastructure following the recent derailment of the Abuja–Kaduna train.

Reacting to the incident, which occurred on Tuesday, Obi expressed concern over the safety of passengers and emphasised the need for continuous investment in critical infrastructure like rail transport.

The Nigerian Railway Corporation said the train was conveying 583 passengers and 15 NRC crew members.

The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau also confirmed that six people sustained injuries in the derailment, with no fatalities.

In a post on his X handle on Tuesday, Obi expressed sadness over the incident and sympathised with those affected.

The politician described rail transport as vital to development and said Nigeria must continue to invest in it.

“I am deeply saddened by the news of the Abuja–Kaduna train derailment today; my heartfelt prayers are with the injured and all affected,” the post reads.

“The rail transport system is a critical component of development, and we must continue to embrace it.

“I urge the authorities to act swiftly to provide adequate medical support to the injured, ensure accountability, and restore confidence in our transport infrastructures.

“We keep all affected in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.” (The PUNCH)