Three passengers have been confirmed dead following the derailment of a train operating on the Warri–Itakpe rail corridor, raising fresh concerns over safety on one of Nigeria’s major railway routes.
The tragic incident occurred on Monday, prompting an immediate response from emergency agencies and railway authorities.
Confirming the development, the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) said rescue teams and relevant officials were swiftly deployed to the scene to assist affected passengers and assess the situation.
In a statement signed by its Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Kayode Opeifa, the corporation acknowledged the accident and assured the public that efforts were underway to manage the emergency.
“The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) confirms that an incident involving the Warri–Itakpe Train Service (WITS) occurred today,” the statement read.
“Emergency response teams and relevant authorities are currently at the scene attending to the situation and providing necessary assistance.”
The corporation added that it was closely monitoring developments and would provide a more comprehensive update as soon as additional facts became available.
The latest derailment comes less than a month after the NRC temporarily suspended operations on the Warri–Itakpe Train Service due to what it described as operational requirements and technical recommendations from its engineering team.
At the time, the railway authority explained that the suspension was necessary to allow for critical assessments aimed at improving safety standards, operational efficiency and service reliability along the route.
“The NRC regrets the inconvenience this development may cause passengers and other stakeholders, and assures the public that efforts are currently ongoing to resolve the issues within the shortest possible time,” the corporation had stated during the suspension.
“Passengers and intending travelers will be duly informed before the end of the week on the date for the resumption of normal train operations.”
Monday’s incident has renewed scrutiny of the country’s rail infrastructure, particularly given a series of derailments recorded in recent months.
In November 2025, a train on the same Warri–Itakpe corridor derailed in Agbor, Delta State.
The NRC attributed that incident to acts of vandalism along the railway line and later announced the arrest of two suspects in connection with the occurrence.
Another derailment was recorded in August 2025 when a passenger train travelling from Abuja to Kaduna left the tracks shortly after departing the Federal Capital Territory.
Passengers onboard the Abuja-Kaduna service reportedly experienced moments of panic as travellers rushed for safety amid confusion following the accident.
Growing concerns over repeated rail accidents prompted the Senate in November 2025 to establish an ad hoc committee to investigate the underlying causes of derailments across the nation’s railway network.
The planned investigation was designed to examine the state of rail infrastructure, assess the quality of imported railway materials and identify factors responsible for the recurring incidents.
As authorities continue rescue and recovery operations, attention is expected to focus once again on rail safety measures and the urgent need to strengthen infrastructure across the country’s expanding railway system.
