By our reporter 2.11.2025
Vandals who removed railway tracks have caused a derailment at Kilometer 212 section of the Warri-Itakpe line.
According to the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC), operations along the Warri–Itakpe route have been suspended following the incident, which happened on Saturday evening.
The incident involved two of the seven coaches of the train at Kilometre 212+8m, Agbor in Delta State, and occurred at approximately 7:30 pm. NRC managing director, Kayode Opeifa, said on Sunday that all passengers were safely evacuated and accounted for.
“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 stated.
Opeifa added that recovery teams, assisted by security personnel, have been working at the site and that operations are expected to resume once a comprehensive security and safety audit of the track is completed.
“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,” he said.
The derailment comes just four days after the NRC had resumed services on the route on October 29 2025, following a suspension that began on August 2 due to recurring technical faults. The Warri–Itakpe line is the longest of Nigeria’s three modern train routes, covering more than 300 kilometres.
The NRC expressed regret for the disruption and assured passengers that normal operations would recommence once the track is deemed safe.
Data from the National Bureau of Statistics indicate that over 188 rail-related incidents have occurred in Nigeria between 2020 and 2025, with many linked to vandalism and criminal activity.
In August, the NRC confirmed that no fewer than 618 people were on board an Abuja–Kaduna train when it derailed, leading the agency to suspend services along the route.
Opeifa said that the passengers included 583 travellers, 15 NRC staff, one medical personnel, eight cleaners, and 11 catering staff.
“Out of that number, seven passengers sustained varying degrees of injuries and were immediately transported by ambulance to hospital,” the NRC said in a statement.
