Panic As Warri-Itakpe Train Derails Again, NRC Shuts Down Route For Safety Checks

According to Ireporter Online, the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has announced the indefinite suspension of train operations along the Warri-Itakpe route following a derailment incident on Saturday evening.

The NRC Managing Director, Dr. Kayode Opeifa, confirmed that two of the seven coaches of the Warri-Itakpe Train Service derailed around 7:30 p.m. near Agbor in Delta State. He explained that preliminary investigations suggest the mishap may have been caused by suspected vandalism of the railway track.

Dr. Opeifa assured the public that all passengers aboard the affected train were safely evacuated to Agbor, with no reports of injuries or fatalities. He further noted that recovery operations commenced immediately, with security agencies providing assistance to the NRC team on-site.

The Corporation stated that the suspension was a precautionary measure to allow for a comprehensive safety and security audit of the affected track and related infrastructure. According to Opeifa, normal services will resume only after it has been confirmed that the route is safe for operation.

This latest development comes just four days after the resumption of train services on the Warri-Itakpe line, which had previously been halted for several weeks. The NRC has expressed regret over the inconvenience caused to passengers and reiterated its commitment to ensuring the safety and reliability of railway operations nationwide.