…As NRC suspends Warri-Itakpe service
No fewer than 148 passengers and 30 crew members were reported stranded inside a forest in Kogi State after a train heading to Itakpe from Warri derailed on Sunday.
The train, which left Warri early on Sunday morning, got derailed at about noon inside the thick forest between Ajaokuta and Itakpe.
The incident is coming barely two weeks after some passengers were abducted from a train station in Igueben, Edo State.
The Coordinator of Warri Itakpe Train Service, Engr. Sanni Abdulganiyu said: “The Warri-Itakpe Train Service WITS 01 derailed at km 30 Ajaokuta-Itakpe section of the track at About 12:30hrs of Sunday 22nd January 2023.
“Thankfully, there was no fatality and no casualty. We were immediately alerted and security personnel comprising the; Army, Police, NSCDC, and the community vigilante were immediately drafted to the accident point with the assistance of the Local government Chairman.
“All the 148 passengers and 30 crew members were evacuated to a safe place and arrangements were made to convey 148 passengers to their various destinations and they have been successfully conveyed.”
On what may have caused the derailment, Abdulganiyu said: “The cause of the derailment is not yet determined. Due to this incident, the service along the corridor has been suspended. Further details would be communicated to members of the public”.
He also said repairs would commence immediately adding that operation along the corridor will resume as soon as possible.