NRC links Warri-Itakpe Train derailment to possible wheel defect

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has identified a possible wheel or bogie defect as a preliminary factor in the June 8 Warri-Itakpe train derailment that killed four people and injured 64 others.

The Managing Director of the NRC, Kayode Opeifa, disclosed this in the corporation’s preliminary report on the incident, while stressing that the definitive cause would only be established after further technical analysis and the conclusion of an independent investigation by the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB).

The derailment occurred at about 4:17 p.m. near the Goodluck Jonathan Railway Station at kilometre 177, Owa-Oyibu, Agbor, Delta State, as the Warri-Itakpe Train Service (WITS) approached the station.

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

According to him, the accident affected five coaches, one locomotive and a power car, with three coaches and the power car overturning while other derailed rolling stock remained upright.

He revealed that emergency response operations were immediately activated by the NRC in collaboration with the Delta State Government, Nigeria Police Force, Federal Road Safety Corps, National Emergency Management Agency, local authorities and medical teams.

Opeifa said all passengers were evacuated within two hours of the incident.

He confirmed that the derailment resulted in four fatalities-three adults and one child, while 64 people sustained various injuries.

He explained that 28 injured passengers were treated and discharged at the Railway Hospital, Owa-Oyibu, while 36 others were taken to general hospitals in Owa-Oyibu, Owa-Alero and Central Hospital, Agbor.

“Most of those admitted were discharged within 72 hours,” he said, adding that three people, including an NRC staff member who required surgery, remained under specialist medical care. Two subsequently underwent surgical procedures.

Opeifa also clarified that an earlier report of five fatalities was corrected after the corporation verified the casualty figures with the Delta State medical team that handled the deceased.

On the possible cause of the derailment, the NRC boss said the corporation’s internal inquiry identified the possible sudden development of a bogie or wheel defect while the train was travelling.

He said such a defect could have resulted in abnormal wheel-rail interaction, excessive impact loading and a loss of running stability.

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

He added that the manner in which the brakes may have been applied could also have contributed to the severity of the incident, but stressed that this too was still being investigated.

Importantly, Opeifa said the NRC inquiry team found that the railway points were intact and detected no evidence of track vandalism at the accident location.

This, he noted, differed from two previous WITS incidents on November 1 and November 8, 2025, which were attributed to track vandalism.

He said the NSIB had commenced an independent investigation in line with statutory requirements, with the NRC fully cooperating with the process.

“The NSIB final report remains pending,” Opeifa stated.

The NRC internal investigation recommended comprehensive inspections and safety audits of rolling stock, tracks and railway infrastructure before equipment is returned to service.

Opeifa said the corporation would also strengthen maintenance and condition-monitoring programmes, replace defective components promptly and improve the availability of critical spare parts.

He revealed that the NRC inquiry further recommended updated operational procedures, stronger enforcement of safety standards, regular emergency-response drills and improved coordination among emergency agencies.

The corporation also recommended enhanced staff training and competency assessments, sustainable funding for railway modernisation, as well as stronger insurance and compensation arrangements for passengers and employees.

On the status of the affected railway, Opeifa said the track had been fully recovered and restored, while the locomotives had been retrieved and were undergoing reconditioning.

He stressed that resumption of the Warri-Itakpe service would depend on the completion of a detailed track and equipment safety audit.

Opeifa expressed regret over the incident and extended condolences to the families of those who lost their lives.

He said the NRC was committed to implementing recommendations from both its internal accident inquiry and the independent NSIB investigation.

According to him, the corporation’s priority is to strengthen railway safety, improve operational resilience and restore public confidence in rail transportation.