The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has announced a 72-hour suspension of train services on the Warri-Itakpe route, effective from Thursday, following a significant technical disruption caused by engine failure. The incident occurred on Tuesday, April 9, at approximately 1:38 pm, affecting both the morning departure from Warri and the afternoon return journey from Itakpe. Despite activating emergency recovery protocols, the situation was complicated by further engine failures, necessitating the evacuation of passengers via road transport with adequate security measures in place.
Passengers were safely guided off the affected train to waiting vehicles about 500 meters from the track. Some passengers opted to arrange their own transportation before the arrival of official recovery vehicles, a decision understood by the NRC given the delay. The corporation has assured passengers that they are eligible for a full refund or revalidation for future travel, based on their preference.
The temporary suspension allows the NRC’s technical team to conduct a comprehensive audit, resolve identified issues, and restore safe and reliable service. The NRC has apologized for any inconvenience caused and is working diligently to resume operations as soon as possible, emphasizing its commitment to passenger safety and comfort. This move highlights the NRC’s proactive approach to addressing technical challenges and ensuring the reliability of its services.