NRC Confirms Warri–Itakpe Train Accident, Three Passengers Dead

NRC Confirms Warri–Itakpe Train Accident, Three Passengers Dead

 

Three passengers reportedly died and many others injured on Monday following the derailment of a train operating on the Warri–Itakpe Train Service (WITS), raising fresh concerns about safety and operational challenges on one of Nigeria’s most important standard-gauge railway corridors.

The accident occurred at Agbor, Delta State, along the Warri–Itakpe route, according to the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC).

In a statement signed by the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the NRC, Dr. Kayode Opeifa, the corporation disclosed that rescue and emergency operations were ongoing while efforts were being made to determine the full extent of the accident.

“The Nigerian Railway Corporation confirms that an incident involving the Warri–Itakpe Train Service occurred today. Emergency response teams and relevant authorities are currently at the scene attending to the situation and providing necessary assistance,” the statement said.

The NRC said it was closely monitoring developments and promised to provide further details as investigations progress.

Although the corporation did not immediately state the number of casualties or injuries, sources familiar with the incident said three passengers lost their lives in the derailment.

Monday’s accident is the latest setback for the rail corridor, which has experienced a series of operational disruptions in recent years.

In April 2025, the NRC suspended train operations on the Warri–Itakpe route for 72 hours after a major technical failure left hundreds of passengers stranded in a remote forest area in Kogi State for several hours.

The disruption sparked public outrage and renewed scrutiny of the reliability and maintenance of the service.

The corporation attributed the incident to multiple engine failures and subsequently launched investigations while carrying out repairs before resuming operations.

The Warri–Itakpe line has also faced vandalism of railway infrastructure and security concerns along parts of the corridor.

Commissioned as Nigeria’s first standard-gauge rail line dedicated initially to freight movement before passenger services were introduced, the route links Warri in Delta State with Itakpe in Kogi State, serving thousands of passengers and facilitating the movement of goods across several states.

Transportation stakeholders have repeatedly called for stronger safety measures, improved maintenance culture and increased investment in rail infrastructure to prevent recurring incidents and enhance public confidence in the country’s rail transport system.