Abuja, April 10, 2025 — The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has suspended operations on the Warri-Itakpe rail corridor for 72 hours following a significant technical disruption caused by engine failures.
In a statement issued on Thursday and signed by Henrietta Eregare on behalf of the NRC management, the Corporation said the incident occurred on Tuesday, April 9, at approximately 1:38 p.m., affecting both the 8:00 a.m. train from Warri and the 2:00 p.m. service from Itakpe.
Engine Failure and Emergency Response
According to the NRC, the disruption was triggered by “multiple technical issues involving a train engine failure,” which also hampered efforts to activate emergency recovery protocols.
“Despite our best efforts, the recovery process faced additional setbacks due to engine complications,” the statement read.
In response, NRC officials evacuated all passengers from the affected train, guiding them to waiting vehicles positioned roughly 500 meters from the track. Adequate security personnel were present during the evacuation, the Corporation noted.
“Some passengers chose to arrange their own transportation before the arrival of official recovery vehicles—a decision the NRC understands given the delay,” the statement added.
Suspension and Refund Plan
To facilitate a thorough inspection and ensure future safety, the NRC announced a 72-hour suspension of train services along the route. The pause, it said, would allow for “a full audit, resolution of all technical issues, and restoration of safe and reliable service.”
Affected passengers are eligible for a full refund or may choose to revalidate their tickets for future travel. Refund and revalidation information has been made available through NRC’s online ticketing platforms, customer service lines, and physical stations.
Apology and Assurance
The Corporation apologized to commuters for the inconvenience caused, assuring the public of its continued commitment to passenger safety and service reliability.
“We deeply regret the disruption and take full responsibility for the incident. We are working round the clock to resume normal operations,” the statement said. “We appreciate the patience, understanding, and continued support of the public during this time.”
