Train derails three days after resumption of operations
A train has derailed three days after resuming operations along Warri-Itakpe route raising concerns about safety as authorities complain of sabotage to rail tracks.
The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) resumed the Warri-Itakpe train service on Wednesday, only for the train to derail on Saturday
“We wish to inform the public that a train derailment incident occurred on Saturday at approximately 19:30 hours, involving two out of the seven coaches of our WITS at Kilometre 212+8m, Agbor.
“Preliminary investigations indicated that the incident may have been caused by suspected track vandalism,” the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of NRC, Kayode Opeifa, said in a statement on Sunday.
“We are pleased to confirm that all passengers on board were safely evacuated to Agbor, and everyone has been fully accounted for. No casualties or injuries were recorded,” he said.
Mr Opeifa said that the NRC recovery team, supported by security personnel, had been at the site since last night, carrying out recovery operations.
He added that these efforts were progressing steadily and are expected to be completed soon.
“As a precautionary measure, train services on the corridor have been temporarily suspended today to enable a comprehensive security and safety audit of the track and related infrastructure.
“We sincerely regret any inconvenience this may cause our valued passengers and the public.
“Normal operations will resume as soon as it is verified safe to do so,” he assured.
The Warri-Itakpe train service had been suspended for several months to allow the management to “carry out urgent and critical track repairs” necessitated by the theft of rail tracks.
Last week, the NRC announced that the operations would resume on 29 October following the successful repairs. Saturday’s derailment occurred three days after the resumption.
Such problems are, however, not peculiar to the Warri-Itakpe section of Nigeria’s railway.
Two months ago, a train derailment was recorded along Abuja-Kaduna route leading to suspension of operations for several weeks.
