Warri–Itakpe Train Services Suspended After NRC Derailment, Passengers Safe
The Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) has temporarily suspended train services on the Warri–Itakpe route following a derailment on Saturday evening.
The incident involved two of the train’s seven coaches at Kilometre 212+8m in Agbor, Delta State, around 7:30 pm. Preliminary investigations point to possible track vandalism as the cause.
NRC Managing Director Kayode Opeifa confirmed that all passengers were safely evacuated and accounted for, with no injuries reported. “All passengers on board were safely evacuated to Agbor, and everyone has been fully accounted for. No casualties or injuries were recorded,” he said.
Recovery and security teams are currently working at the site. Train operations will resume once a thorough security and safety audit of the track and related infrastructure is completed.
The derailment comes just four days after the NRC resumed services on the route on 29 October 2025, following a suspension that began on 2 August due to recurring technical faults. The Warri–Itakpe line, covering over 300 kilometres, is Nigeria’s longest modern rail route.
The NRC expressed regret for the disruption and assured passengers that services would return to normal once the track is deemed safe. Between 2020 and 2025, over 188 rail-related incidents were reported across Nigeria, many linked to vandalism and criminal activity.
Previous derailments have raised safety concerns. In August, an Abuja–Kaduna train derailment injured seven passengers, while a 2019 Lagos derailment at Ashade Railway Crossing claimed one life. The NRC continues to prioritize passenger safety and has instructed ticketing agencies to process refunds for those affected.
