THREE passengers have been confirmed dead following the derailment of a train operating on the Warri–Itakpe Train Service (WITS).
News Point Nigeria reports that the incident occurred on Monday, prompting an emergency response by authorities and renewing concerns over the safety of Nigeria’s rail transport system.
Confirming the development, the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) said emergency response teams and relevant authorities had been deployed to the scene to manage the situation and provide assistance to affected passengers.
“The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) confirms that an incident involving the Warri–Itakpe Train Service (WITS) occurred today.
“Emergency response teams and relevant authorities are currently at the scene attending to the situation and providing necessary assistance,” a statement signed by the NRC Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Kayode Opeifa, partly read.
The corporation added that it was closely monitoring developments and would provide further details as more information becomes available.
“The Corporation is closely monitoring developments and a detailed statement will be issued as soon as more information becomes available,” the statement added.
The latest derailment occurred less than a month after the NRC temporarily suspended operations on the Warri–Itakpe Train Service, citing operational exigencies and technical advice from its engineers.
At the time, the corporation explained that the suspension was necessary to enable it conduct critical operational assessments aimed at ensuring continued safety, reliability and improved service delivery along 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 travelers will be duly informed before the end of the week on the date for the resumption of normal train operations,” the agency had stated while announcing the suspension.
The incident is the latest in a series of derailments that have affected the nation’s rail network in recent years.
In November 2025, the NRC recorded another derailment on the Warri–Itakpe route and attributed the incident to the activities of vandals.
Following that occurrence, the corporation announced the arrest of two suspects in connection with the derailment, which took place along the Warri–Itakpe railway corridor in Agbor, Delta State.
Earlier, in August 2025, a passenger train travelling from Abuja to Kaduna derailed shortly after departing the Federal Capital Territory around 11 a.m., sparking panic among passengers and their relatives.
A passenger who was onboard at the time described the situation as chaotic, with travelers scrambling for safety amid fear and confusion.
The recurring derailments have continued to raise questions about the condition of rail infrastructure and operational safety standards across the country.
Concerned by the persistent incidents, the Nigerian Senate in November 2025 resolved to establish an ad hoc committee to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the causes of repeated train derailments.
The planned probe was designed to uncover the root causes of the accidents, assess the state of rail infrastructure nationwide, and examine the quality and condition of imported materials being deployed in the railway sector.