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By Fidelis Ugbomeh
Barely three months after June 8, 2026, Warri-Itakpe passenger train accident, the management of Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) recently reeled out a preliminary report of the cause and reasons for the suspension of service.
The report precedes the outcome of definitive, comprehensive and final independent investigation report expected to be submitted by Nigeria Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) soon.
Giving a breakdown of how the accident occurred and statistics of dead, injured and disabled, managing director of the corporation, Dr. Kayode Opeifa, said the accident occurred as the train approached outer house signal of Goodluck Jonathan train terminal (Kilometre 177), Owa-Oyibu, Agbor, Delta State.
He disclosed that 442 passengers and 40 operational staff were involved in the derailment, which affected five coaches, one locomotive engine and a power car.
Opeifa explained that three of the coaches and power car were overturned while other rolling stocks derailed but remained upright adding that three adults and a child died instantly while 64 were injured with bruises, blunt trauma, lumbar symptoms and maxillofacial injury.
According to him, 28 passengers were instantly attended to and discharged at Railway Hospital, Owa-Oyibu, while 36 passengers were talent to Owa-Oyibu General Hospital and Central Hospital.
The helmsman stated further that three persons, including one railway staff that required surgical intervention remained under specialist medical care and two subsequently had medical procedures carried out on them.
The primary investigation identified a possible sudden bogie or wheel defect as cause of the accident while enroute, as no evidence of track vandalism was found.
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“A wheel defect of this nature may have generated abnormal wheel-rail interaction, excessive impact loading and loss of running stability”, the report said.
The investigation also noted that the possible manner of brake application may have contributed to the severity of the outcome.
According to the corporation, the definitive causes of the accident will be determined through comprehensive analysis and will be out in the final report, adding that “in line with statutory requirements, Nigeria Safety Investigation Bureau has commenced an independent investigation”.
The report recommended reviewed passenger and staff welfare protection through enhancement of the corporation’s insurance and compensation framework to ensure adequate coverage for medical treatment, disability support and compensation for fatalities.
This, according to the report, will guarantee and ensure commitment to welfare of staff and passengers. It hlighted the need for funding rail transportation infrastructure while also raising concerns about improved insurance coverage for train passengers.
The corporation restated the need to provide sustainable funding for railway modernisation to support ongoing transformation of the sector, optimise existing railway assets and facilitate development of new infrastructure and service to sustain long-term operations.
The report harped on the need to review operational procedures and replace obsolete practices with updated standard operating procedures.
On resumption of service, Opeifa stated that the track has been fully restored and locomotive engine recovered and still undergoing reconditioning.
According to him, resumption of service will depend on completion of detailed track and equipment safety audit.
