Warri-Itakpe train derailment halts NRC operations as vandalism is suspected; all passengers safely evacuated, no injuries reported
Warri-Itakpe train derailment has once again disrupted operations of the Nigeria Railway Corporation, only four days after services resumed on the corridor.
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The incident, which occurred on Saturday evening, forced the immediate suspension of train movement along the 350-kilometre route.
In a statement released on Sunday, the NRC confirmed that two out of the train’s seven coaches derailed at kilometre 212+8m near Agbor at around 7:30 p.m. The Managing Director of the corporation, Kayode Opeifa, said preliminary investigations suggested that the derailment may have been caused by suspected track vandalism.
“We are pleased to confirm that all passengers on board were safely evacuated to Agbor and fully accounted for. No casualties or injuries were recorded,” Opeifa said.
“Our recovery team, supported by security personnel, has been at the site since last night, carrying out recovery operations.”
As a precaution, the Warri-Itakpe train derailment prompted the NRC to suspend services on the route pending a comprehensive security and safety audit.
Opeifa added that operations would resume only after the tracks and related infrastructure had been verified safe.
The incident comes barely a week after the NRC restored service on the same route, which had been shut since 2 August due to repeated breakdowns and technical faults.
Before that, the Abuja-Kaduna line had also been temporarily halted following an accident in late August.
An NRC official, who spoke anonymously, attributed the frequent derailments to escalating acts of vandalism targeting railway facilities.
“These vandals are on the prowl, stripping vital infrastructure and endangering lives,” the source said.
Data from the National Bureau of Statistics indicates that over 188 rail-related incidents have occurred between 2020 and 2025, with many linked to theft and vandalism by scavengers and organised criminal groups.
The NRC has appealed for public vigilance and greater community cooperation to protect national railway assets, stressing that sustained vandalism undermines the country’s transport modernisation agenda.
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While the corporation expressed regret for the inconvenience caused to passengers, it assured that restoration efforts were progressing steadily and that normal service would resume soon.
David Okere is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering business, governance, public affairs, and human-interest stories with a commitment to accuracy, balance, and public interest reporting.
