Passengers of the Warri–Itakpe Train Service are safe after the trains derailed Saturday, the Nigerian Railway Corporation, NRC, has assured.
The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of NRC, Dr Kayode Opeifa, in a statement on Sunday in Lagos declared:
“We wish to inform the public that a train derailment incident occurred on Saturday at approximately 19:.30 hours, involving two out of the seven coaches of our WITS at Kilometre 212+8m, Agbor.
“Preliminary investigations indicated that the incident may have been caused by suspected track vandalism.
“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 that the NRC recovery team, supported by security personnel, had been at the site since last night carrying out recovery operations.
He added that these efforts were progressing steadily and are expected to be completed soon.
“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.
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“We sincerely regret any inconvenience this may cause our valued passengers and the public.
“Normal operations will resume as soon as it is verified safe to do so,” he assured.
Credible News recalls that on August 26 six persons sustained injuries when Abuja-Kaduna train derailed.
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau in a statement issued by Mrs Bimbo Oladeji, the NSIB Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance, reported the derailment involving a Kaduna-bound train service which occurred at approximately 11:09 a.m. today, Aug. 26, 2025, at KM 49 between Kubwa Station and Asham Station.
“Current information available indicates that six persons sustained injuries, and there were no recorded fatalities. A go-team has been deployed to the site to gather evidence, engage relevant stakeholders, and commence investigation into the circumstances surrounding the accident.
“The bureau investigation into the incidence will focus on identifying the direct and underlying factors that led to the derailment, with the aim of issuing safety recommendations to prevent a recurrence,” she said.
Capt. Alex Badeh, the Director-General of NSIB, who sympathised with those that sustained injuries, stated that the bureau had deployed investigators to the site.
According to him, the investigators will carry out prudent observation to ensure the root cause of the derailment is uncovered.
“Our commitment is to ensure safer rail transport for Nigerians through a transparent and independent investigation. The NSIB will provide updates as the investigation progresses.
“NSIB is a multimodal transport agency charged with promoting transport safety and conducting objective, comprehensive, and accurate investigations into transport accidents and incidents in Nigeria”, said the Bureau.
NAN
