NRC probes possible wheel defect in Warri-Itakpe crash that killed four, injured 64

The Nigerian Railway Corporation has released preliminary findings into the June 8, 2026, derailment of the Warri-Itakpe Train Service in Delta State, which killed four people and injured 64 others.

The NRC said its internal inquiry identified a possible sudden defect in the train’s bogie or wheel assembly as a potential factor in the accident. At the same time, an independent investigation by the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau is still ongoing.

The findings were contained in a report made available to journalists on Monday and signed by the NRC Managing Director, Kayode Opeifa.

According to the corporation, the possible wheel defect may have developed. At the same time, the train was in motion, “potentially causing abnormal wheel-rail interaction, excessive impact loading and loss of running stability.”

The NRC, however, stressed that the finding remained a working hypothesis and should not be regarded as the final cause of the accident.

“The definitive cause or causes of the accident will be determined through comprehensive analysis and will be set out in the final report,” the corporation said.

The internal inquiry also identified the possible manner in which the train brakes were applied as a factor that may have contributed to the severity of the derailment.

However, the NRC said this finding was also subject to further investigation and had not been established as a definitive cause.

The accident occurred at about 4:17pm on June 8 as the train approached the Outer Home signal of the Goodluck Jonathan Railway Station at kilometre 177, Owa-Oyibu, near Agbor.

The train had departed Itakpe at noon with 482 people on board, comprising 442 passengers and 40 operational personnel.