The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has confirmed a train derailment on its Warri–Itakpe route but assures that all passengers are safe and accounted for.
According to a statement released by the NRC management, the incident happened around 7:30 p.m. on Saturday near Kilometer 212+8m in Agbor, Delta State. Two of the seven coaches on the Warri–Itakpe Train Service (WITS) reportedly went off the track.
The corporation said that early investigations suggest track vandalism may have caused the derailment. Despite the sudden incident, no lives were lost, and no injuries were recorded. All passengers were safely evacuated to Agbor with the support of emergency response teams.
The NRC added that its recovery team, alongside security operatives, has been on-site since the occurrence to restore normal operations. “Our recovery efforts are progressing steadily and are expected to be completed soon,” the statement said.
As reported by Mediaplusng.com, train services on the Warri–Itakpe corridor have been temporarily suspended to allow for a full safety and security audit of the tracks and other infrastructure. The management says the suspension is a precautionary step to ensure passenger safety before resuming normal operations.
The NRC expressed regret over the inconvenience caused to passengers and commuters, emphasizing its commitment to ensuring the safety, reliability, and integrity of Nigeria’s railway system.
Meanwhile, Mediaplusng.com notes that this is not the first time the NRC has had to suspend operations due to suspected vandalism. Experts have repeatedly called for improved surveillance and collaboration with security agencies to protect national rail assets.
