The Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Kayode Opeifa, has announced that the death toll from the Warri–Itakpe train derailment has risen to five. Opeifa confirmed this on Monday, stating that emergency responders were swiftly deployed to the scene. Injured passengers were evacuated to nearby medical facilities for treatment, while investigations into the cause of the derailment are ongoing. He assured that safety assessments are being intensified across the rail network to prevent a recurrence. According to him, relevant technical teams have been mobilised to determine the factors that led to the accident.
Federal Government Confirms Casualties
The Federal Government has confirmed that four passengers died and 24 others sustained serious injuries after four coaches of the Warri-Itakpe train service capsized near Agbor in Delta State. The incident has sparked widespread concern over railway safety in the country.
Delta Governor Expresses Grief
Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, has expressed grief over the tragic train accident in Agbor, Ika South Local Council Area of the state, which claimed four lives and left several passengers injured. In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Festus Ekpen Ahon, the governor commiserated with the families of the deceased and prayed for the speedy recovery of those currently receiving medical treatment for injuries sustained in the incident.
Describing the accident as heartbreaking and unfortunate, Oborevwori said the loss of lives was a painful tragedy not only for the affected families but also for the entire state. He assured residents that the state government had promptly mobilised relevant authorities to the scene to provide immediate assistance to victims and ensure an effective emergency response.
According to the statement, the governor immediately directed the Commissioner for Special Duties, alongside the Chairmen of Ika South and Ika North-East Local Council Areas, to proceed to the accident scene and coordinate rescue operations. Oborevwori also commended security agencies for their swift response to the emergency. He disclosed that the Commissioner of Police personally visited the scene and deployed sufficient security personnel to protect passengers’ luggage and other valuables during rescue efforts.
The statement further revealed that injured victims were promptly evacuated to nearby hospitals for treatment, while passengers who escaped unhurt were transported to safety within the town. The remains of the four deceased victims were deposited in a mortuary, while buses were immediately deployed to convey survivors and injured passengers from the accident site to designated locations and healthcare facilities.
House of Representatives Calls for Investigation
The House of Representatives has called on the NRC to conduct a thorough investigation into the train accident and ensure adequate compensation for victims. The resolution followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by Delta lawmaker, Francis Waive, during plenary on Monday. Waive expressed concern over the tragic accident.
The lawmaker described the Itakpe-Warri rail line as one of Nigeria’s most strategic standard-gauge railway corridors, linking Delta, Edo, and Kogi states and serving thousands of commuters, traders, and businesses daily. He said: “The accident has heightened concerns about passenger safety, operational standards, maintenance practices, and emergency preparedness within the country’s railway system.”
