Updated: Passengers panic as Warri-Itakpe train derails in Kogi forest + video

• NRC suspends train service along the route

Fear of attack and kidnap by terrorists overtook many train passengers on Sunday as their train plying the Warri-Itakpe route derailed, making many to scamper for safety.

A total of 148 passengers and 30 crew members were on the train when the incident happened in a Kogi forest around 2.30 on Sunday, according to the Nigerian Railway Corporation.

Punch reported that many of the passengers immediately abandoned the train for fear of being taken hostage.

It was gathered that the train left Warri early on Sunday and got derailed at around 12pm inside the thick forest between Ajaokuta and Itakpe, the report stated.

There were conflicting reports as to the cause of the train accident in which no one was reported injured.

Some claimed a section of the track was cut forcing the train to veer off the rail line.

But a source familiar with train operations at the Nigerian Railway Corporation told NewsTrends that the derailment was suspected to be caused by a point error “since the train derailed at a facing point where it wanted to negotiate its move to another line”.

Tweets by some of the passengers later showed that the security operatives aboard the train, the police and the Nigerian Army promptly came to the rescue of the stranded passengers.

They however did not provide the details of how they got out of the forest.

For instance, Sule  Sulaiman, @sos0570

tweeted, “Kudos to the security men on board, PF Kogi Command and NA for the prompt response. All passengers are safe.”

Meanwhile, the NRC has reacted to the incident through a statement issued Sunday night by The Coordinator of Warri-Itakpe Train Service, Sanni Abdulganiyu.

The statement read, “The Warri Itakpe Train Service WITS 01 derailed at KM 30 Ajaokuta-Itakpe section of the track at About 12:30hrs of Sunday 22nd January 2023.

“Thankfully, there was no fatality and no casualty. We were immediately alerted and security personnel comprising the Army, Police, NSCDC, and the community vigilante were immediately drafted to the accident point with the assistance of the local government chairman.

“All the 148 passengers and 30 crew members were evacuated to a safe place and arrangements were made to convey 148 passengers to their various destinations and they have been successfully conveyed.

“The cause of the derailment is not yet determined. Due to this incident, the service along the corridor has been suspended. Further details would be communicated to members of the public.

“Repair and operation will resume as soon as possible.”