Warri-Itakpe train service suspended for 72 hours over engine failure
The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has announced a temporary suspension of train services on the Warri-Itakpe route following multiple technical failures that disrupted operations on Tuesday, April 9, 2025.
According to a statement released on Thursday, the disruption began at about 1:38 PM and affected both the 8:00 AM train from Warri and the 2:00 PM service from Itakpe. The incident was triggered by a train engine failure, which also hampered emergency recovery efforts.
In response, the NRC evacuated all stranded passengers via road transport, with security personnel deployed to ensure safety. Passengers were guided off the affected train to waiting vehicles about 500 meters away. The Corporation noted that some passengers opted to make their own transport arrangements due to delays in recovery.
To address the situation, the NRC has suspended operations on the Warri-Itakpe corridor for 72 hours. The suspension, it stated, is to enable the technical team to carry out a comprehensive audit and fix all identified faults to ensure safe and reliable service.
Affected passengers are eligible for either a full refund or ticket revalidation for future travel. Details of the refund process are available online, through NRC customer service lines, and at railway stations.
“We deeply regret the inconvenience caused by this disruption. The Nigerian Railway Corporation takes full responsibility and is actively working to restore normal operations,” the statement signed by NRC spokesperson Henrietta Eregare read.
The NRC expressed appreciation for the public’s patience and reaffirmed its commitment to passenger safety and service reliability.
