Concerns are mounting over the safety of Nigeria’s railway operations as another Warri–Itakpe-bound train derailed in the Agbor area of Delta State on Saturday night, barely four days after services on the route resumed.
The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) confirmed the incident in a statement on Sunday, disclosing that the derailment occurred around 7:30pm and affected two out of the seven coaches of the Warri–Itakpe Train Service (WITS).
According to the Managing Director of the NRC, Kayode Opeifa, who signed the statement, the accident may have been caused by vandalism. He, however, assured that no lives were lost.
“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 stated.
He explained that a recovery team, supported by security personnel, had been deployed to the site and that operations were ongoing to restore normalcy.
Opeifa further announced that train services along the Warri–Itakpe corridor had again been suspended to allow for a comprehensive safety audit.
“As a precautionary measure, train services on the corridor have been temporarily suspended to enable a thorough security and safety inspection of the track and related infrastructure,” he said.
“We sincerely regret any inconvenience this may cause our valued passengers. Normal operations will resume as soon as it is verified safe to do so.”
Train services on the Warri–Itakpe route had been grounded for several months due to theft of rail components and vandalism, which prompted “urgent and critical track repairs.” The NRC only announced the resumption of operations on October 29 after those repairs were completed.
Saturday’s derailment, occurring just four days later, has renewed public anxiety over rail safety in the country.
Similar incidents have also been reported on other routes. In August, an Abuja–Kaduna train carrying over 500 passengers derailed en route to Kaduna. According to the NRC, all 618 persons on board, including crew, medical staff, and cleaners, were safely evacuated, though seven passengers sustained varying degrees of injury and were treated at nearby hospitals.
With yet another derailment disrupting operations, stakeholders are calling for deeper investment in rail infrastructure, improved surveillance, and stronger anti-vandalism measures to restore public confidence in Nigeria’s railway system.