by Godwin Orozo-
The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has temporarily suspended operations on the Warri-Itakpe rail line following a mechanical fault that stranded over 200 passengers on Wednesday afternoon.
The locomotive reportedly developed a fault around 1:30 pm, approximately 14 kilometres from Itakpe. According to an NRC official who spoke to The Nation on the condition of anonymity, security personnel were swiftly deployed to the scene.
“We immediately contacted the Nigeria Police Force, Civil Defence Corps, and local vigilantes to secure the area and ensure the safety of all passengers,” the official said.
Evacuation efforts were promptly organized, with vehicles dispatched to transport the stranded passengers to Itakpe. “All the vehicles arrived Itakpe with the passengers before 3:00 pm,” the source confirmed.
The NRC later issued an official notice, obtained by Paparazzi Online, announcing the suspension of service.
“Due to unforeseen mechanical issues, we are forced to cancel today’s afternoon train from Itakpe to Warri, and tomorrow’s trains WITS 01 and WITS 02,” the statement read.
The corporation added that operations are expected to resume on Friday, April 11, 2025.
“We apologize for the inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding. Our team is working diligently to resolve the issue and ensure a smooth service,” the notice concluded.
This is not the first disruption on the Warri-Itakpe route, and passengers are urging the NRC to invest more in maintenance and timely communication.
