Train operations along the Warri–Itakpe corridor have again been suspended after a derailment occurred on Saturday evening in the Agbor area of Delta State, just four days after services resumed.
The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) confirmed the incident in a statement on Sunday, noting that no lives were lost and no injuries were recorded.
According to the statement signed by Kayode Opeifa, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the NRC, the derailment, which took place around 7:30 pm, affected two out of seven coaches on the Warri–Itakpe Train Service (WITS).
“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,” Opeifa said.
He added that a recovery team, supported by security personnel, had been deployed immediately to the scene and that recovery efforts were “progressing steadily.”
The NRC boss explained that as a precautionary measure, the corporation had suspended train operations on the route to allow for a comprehensive safety and security audit of the tracks and related infrastructure.
“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,” the statement read.
“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.”
The NRC also hinted that preliminary findings suggest vandalism may have played a role in the derailment.
Train services on the Warri–Itakpe line had only resumed earlier in the week after months of suspension due to previous technical and security challenges.
