148 passengers unhurt as Itakpe-Warri train derails

There was panic Saturday when a passenger train plying the Warri-Itakpe route derailed leaving many passengers stranded.

It was gathered that the train derailed in a forest in Kogi State forcing many passengers to abandon the train for fear of attacks.

The derailment happened a few weeks after some passengers were kidnapped at the train station in Edo State.

The incident has forced the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) to suspend the route pending when the track would be repaired even as the 148 passengers on board as well as the 30 crew members escaped unhurt.

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The Coordinator of Warri Itakpe Train Service, Engr. Sanni Abdulganiyu in a statement 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 might have caused the derailment, he stated: “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”.