The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has deployed an Emergency Response Team (ERT) to Delta State following the derailment of a passenger train travelling from Itakpe to Warri along the Agbor axis on Monday.
The deployment came shortly after reports of the incident reached the agency, triggering an immediate emergency response aimed at assisting passengers and supporting ongoing rescue operations.
In a statement issued on Monday, NEMA disclosed that its Director-General, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, swiftly activated the agency’s emergency response mechanism upon receiving an alert about the accident.
According to the agency, the prompt intervention led to the deployment of an Emergency Response Team to the affected area to coordinate relief efforts and provide support to victims.
NEMA further revealed that Umar had established contact with the Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Mr. Kayode Opeifa, assuring him of the agency’s full support as authorities work to manage the situation.
“The agency’s response team is collaborating with the NRC, security agencies, and other relevant stakeholders to provide necessary assistance to the passengers, ensure their safety, and support operations,” the statement said.
The agency noted that its personnel were already working closely with railway officials and security operatives at the scene to ensure effective coordination of rescue and recovery activities.
The intervention followed confirmation by the Nigerian Railway Corporation that a train operating on the Warri–Itakpe Train Service had derailed, resulting in fatalities and injuries among passengers.
The NRC confirmed that at least three passengers lost their lives in the accident, while emergency responders and relevant authorities were immediately mobilised to provide assistance to survivors.
The corporation stated that rescue teams remained on ground to manage the aftermath of the derailment and ensure that affected passengers received the necessary support.
The latest incident has renewed concerns about safety on the Warri–Itakpe rail corridor, particularly as it occurred less than a month after the NRC temporarily suspended operations on the route.
At the time, the corporation explained that the suspension was necessitated by operational requirements and technical recommendations from its engineers, who were carrying out assessments aimed at improving safety and service delivery.
With emergency agencies, railway officials and security operatives now working together at the scene, attention has shifted to rescue efforts, treatment of injured passengers and investigations into the circumstances surrounding the derailment.
Authorities have assured the public that all necessary measures are being taken to support victims and restore normalcy following the tragic incident.
