Three passengers have died following the derailment of a train operating on the Warri-Itakpe Train Service on Monday.
The Nigerian Railway Corporation confirmed the incident in a statement signed by its Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Kayode Opeifa, saying emergency response teams and relevant authorities had been deployed to the scene to manage the situation and provide assistance.
“The Nigerian Railway Corporation confirms that an incident involving the Warri-Itakpe Train Service occurred today.
“Emergency response teams and relevant authorities are currently at the scene attending to the situation and providing necessary assistance,” the statement read in part.
The corporation said it was closely monitoring developments and would issue a detailed statement once more information becomes available.
“The Corporation is closely monitoring developments and a detailed statement will be issued as soon as more information becomes available,” it added.
The latest incident occurred less than a month after the NRC temporarily suspended the Warri-Itakpe Train Service over what it described as operational exigencies and technical advice from its engineers.
At the time, the corporation said the suspension was necessary to enable it to carry out critical operational assessments aimed at ensuring safety, reliability and improved service delivery on the corridor.
“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.
“Passengers and intending travellers will be duly informed before the end of the week on the date for the resumption of normal train operations,” the corporation had said.
The Warri-Itakpe corridor had also recorded a derailment in November 2025, which the NRC blamed on the activities of vandals.
The corporation later said two suspects were arrested in connection with the November incident, which occurred along the Warri-Itakpe railway in Agbor, Delta State.
In August 2025, a passenger train travelling from Abuja to Kaduna also derailed shortly after departing Abuja around 11 a.m., triggering panic among passengers and their relatives.
A passenger on board the Abuja-Kaduna train at the time described the scene as chaotic, with many passengers scrambling to safety in fear and confusion.
Concerned by the recurring derailments on Nigeria’s rail lines, the Senate in November 2025 resolved to set up an ad hoc committee to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the incidents.
The proposed probe was aimed at identifying the root causes of repeated derailments, assessing the state of rail infrastructure and reviewing the imported materials used in the railway sector.
Monday’s fatal derailment is expected to renew concerns over rail safety, maintenance standards and the condition of railway infrastructure across the country.
