The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has clarified that Senator Ede Dafinone and former Delta State Secretary to the Government, Patrick Ukah, were not passengers on board the derailed Warri–Itakpe Train Service involved in the recent accident near Agbor.
The corporation said the clarification became necessary following an earlier statement from the Federal Ministry of Transportation which mistakenly suggested that both men were on the train at the time of the incident.
In a statement issued by the NRC Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Kayode Opeifa, the agency explained that the two prominent Delta State figures were not among those onboard.
Rather, the NRC stated that Senator Dafinone and Mr. Ukah played important roles in mobilising emergency responders and supporting rescue operations at the scene of the derailment.
“The Nigerian Railway Corporation wishes to clarify that contrary to an earlier statement, Senator Ede Dafinone, representing Delta Central Senatorial District, and former Secretary to the Delta State Government, Mr Patrick Ukah, were not passengers on board the Warri–Itakpe Train Service involved in the accident near Agbor,” the statement read.
“Both distinguished individuals rather, greatly assisted in the mobilisation of first responders and other emergency personnel who participated in the rescue operations following the incident.”
The corporation also expressed regret over the misinformation and apologised for any embarrassment caused to the individuals involved.
“The NRC regrets the embarrassment the error had caused these eminent Nigerians and sincerely appreciates their selfless and swift intervention and support during the rescue efforts,” it added.
The train derailment had earlier been confirmed by the NRC, with at least three passengers reported dead and about 24 others sustaining injuries.
Emergency response teams were deployed to the scene immediately after the accident, while investigations into the cause of the derailment are ongoing.
The incident occurred less than a month after the NRC temporarily suspended operations of the Warri–Itakpe Train Service due to technical and operational concerns raised by engineers.
