Three passengers have died following the derailment of a train on the Warri–Itakpe Train Service (WITS), according to officials.
The incident occurred on Monday, with emergency response teams and relevant authorities immediately deployed to the scene to manage the situation and provide assistance to affected passengers.
The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) confirmed the accident in an official statement signed by its Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Kayode Opeifa.
“The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) confirms that an incident involving the Warri–Itakpe Train Service (WITS) occurred today,” the statement said.
It added that emergency teams were already working on-site while the corporation monitored developments closely.
“Emergency response teams and relevant authorities are currently at the scene attending to the situation and providing necessary assistance,” the NRC said.
The agency further noted that a comprehensive update would be issued once more details become available.
“The Corporation is closely monitoring developments and a detailed statement will be issued as soon as more information becomes available,” it added.
The derailment comes less than a month after the NRC temporarily suspended operations on the Warri–Itakpe corridor, citing operational exigencies and technical recommendations from engineers.
At the time, the suspension was described as necessary to allow for critical assessments aimed at improving safety, reliability, and service delivery along the route.
The NRC had assured passengers that disruptions would be resolved quickly and that updates on resumption dates would be communicated.
However, the latest incident adds to growing concerns over the safety of Nigeria’s rail infrastructure.
In November 2025, the same Warri–Itakpe line experienced another derailment, which authorities attributed to vandalism.
Following that incident, the NRC announced the arrest of two suspects linked to the case in Agbor, Delta State.
Earlier in August 2025, a passenger train travelling from Abuja to Kaduna also derailed shortly after departure, causing panic among passengers.
That incident, along the Kaduna rail corridor, sparked widespread concern about operational safety and emergency preparedness.
In response to repeated derailments, the Nigerian Senate in November 2025 set up an ad hoc committee to investigate the causes of rail failures across the country.
The committee was tasked with examining infrastructure conditions, maintenance practices, and the quality of imported rail materials.
The latest derailment is expected to intensify calls for urgent reforms and improved safety standards in Nigeria’s railway system.
