NRC Set To Restart Port Harcourt–Aba Train Service Soon

 the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has assured passengers that the suspended Port Harcourt–Aba train service will soon be restored. The service was halted after a viral social media video showed stranded commuters trekking long distances and crossing a stream in search of alternative transportation.

The incident occurred on Wednesday, September 3, when a train traveling from Aba in Abia State to Port Harcourt, Rivers State, broke down at Imo River around 4:22 p.m. In a statement issued by the District Public Relations Officer for the Eastern District, Dr. Onyedikachi S. Onovo, the corporation expressed regret over the hardship caused to passengers and explained the circumstances behind the breakdown.

According to the NRC, the locomotive developed an unusual fault mid-journey and could not be revived despite engineers’ efforts. An alternative engine, Loco 2306, was immediately deployed to rescue the train. While some passengers opted to find alternative means of transport, others were safely conveyed back. The affected train has since been moved to Port Harcourt, where it is undergoing comprehensive repairs in line with enhanced quality control standards.

The corporation advised affected passengers to visit its stations in Port Harcourt or Aba with proof of payment to obtain refunds or replacement rides. It also expressed gratitude to the public for their patience and understanding during the disruption.

Reaffirming its commitment to improved service delivery, the NRC pledged continued alignment with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the federal government’s rail revitalisation programme.