JUST IN : Warri–Itakpe train derails days after resumption of service

The Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) has once again suspended train services on the Warri–Itakpe corridor following a derailment that occurred on Saturday evening.

The development comes barely four days after operations resumed on the route.

In a statement released on Sunday, the corporation confirmed the incident, saying the derailment involved two of the train’s seven coaches at Kilometre 212+8m, Agbor, Delta State, around 7:30 p.m.

The Warri–Itakpe line, which stretches over 300 kilometres, is the longest of Nigeria’s three modern rail routes — the other two being Lagos–Ibadan and Abuja–Kaduna.

Before now, the NRC had suspended the service on August 2 following multiple breakdowns and technical faults. Train operations were only restored on October 29, 2025, after months of maintenance work.

However, the corporation confirmed that the service had to be halted again due to the latest incident.

According to the NRC Managing Director, Kayode Opeifa, preliminary findings suggest the derailment may have been caused by suspected track vandalism.

Opeifa stated, “We are pleased to confirm that all passengers on board were safely evacuated to Agbor, and everyone has been fully accounted for. No casualties or injuries were recorded. Our recovery team, supported by security personnel, has been at the site since last night, carrying out recovery operations. These efforts are progressing steadily and are expected to be completed soon.”

He added, “As a precautionary measure, train services on the corridor have been temporarily suspended today to enable a comprehensive security and safety audit of the track and related infrastructure. We sincerely regret any inconvenience this may cause our valued passengers and the general public. Normal operations will resume as soon as it is verified safe to do so.”