On April 10, 2025, the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) announced the temporary suspension of the Warri-Itakpe train service.
As a result, passengers are advised to seek alternative transportation during this suspension period for their travel needs.
According to Henrietta Eregare, the NRC’s Public Relations Officer, this decision follows a major technical failure on April 9, 2025.
The disruption severely affected scheduled trips, leaving passengers stranded and requiring immediate intervention.
At around 1:38 PM, the malfunction began, halting both the 8:00 AM Warri departure and the 2:00 PM Itakpe service.
Investigations revealed that an engine failure caused the breakdown, which also disabled emergency recovery efforts.
Consequently, the NRC prioritized passenger safety, swiftly organizing alternative transportation for those affected.
To ensure a smooth evacuation, officials safely escorted passengers about 500 meters from the stalled train to the waiting buses.
Meanwhile, while some chose to arrange private transport before official help arrived, the NRC acknowledged their decisions.
Furthermore, the corporation assured the public that all necessary measures were taken to prevent any further complications.
For the next 72 hours, the Warri-Itakpe route will remain closed as engineers conduct a thorough inspection.
This temporary suspension allows the technical team to identify and fix all underlying issues.
Additionally, the NRC has implemented a refund and ticket revalidation policy to accommodate inconvenienced travelers.
Affected passengers can claim full refunds or rebook their trips using existing tickets.
Details on these options are accessible via the NRC’s online platforms, customer service channels, and station offices.
The corporation sincerely apologizes for the disruption and reassures commuters of its commitment to restoring safe and efficient services soon.
Furthermore, the NRC appreciates the public’s patience during this period and vows to uphold high operational standards.
By learning from this incident, the corporation aims to prevent future disruptions and maintain passenger trust.
Efforts are already underway to resume normal operations with improved reliability.
In closing, the NRC remains dedicated to providing secure and comfortable travel experiences.
While this setback is regrettable, the corporation is taking proactive steps to ensure smoother journeys ahead.
Passengers should stay updated through official NRC communications. Meanwhile, they will receive information regarding any further developments promptly.