By Daniel Oluwatobiloba Popoola
The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has confirmed four deaths, comprising three adults and one child, and 64 injuries from the derailment of the Warri–Itakpe Train Service (WITS), in a preliminary report on the incident.
The derailment occurred on Monday, 8 June, 2026 at about 16:17 hours near the Outer Home signal of the Goodluck Jonathan Railway Station, Kilometre 177, Owa-Oyibu, Agbor, Delta State.
In a statement dated Monday, 24 August, 2026 and signed by its Managing Director, Kayode Opeifa, the Corporation said the train, which departed Itakpe at 12:00 noon with 482 persons on board, made up of 442 passengers and 40 operational personnel, derailed with five coaches, one locomotive and a power car affected.
Three of the coaches and the power car overturned, while the rest of the affected rolling stock derailed but stayed upright.
The NRC said emergency response operations swung into action immediately, drawing support from the Delta State Government and its emergency agencies, the Nigeria Police Force, the Federal Road Safety Corps, the National Emergency Management Agency, local authorities and medical teams.
It added that all passengers were evacuated safely within two hours of the derailment.
Breaking down the injuries, the Corporation said victims suffered bruises, deep lacerations, blunt trauma, musculoskeletal strain, lumbar symptoms, maxillofacial injury and other minor injuries.
It stated that 28 passengers received treatment and were discharged at the Railway Hospital, Owa-Oyibu, while 36 others were taken to General Hospitals in Owa-Oyibu, Owa-Alero and the Central Hospital, Agbor, all in Delta State.
Most of those admitted were discharged within 72 hours, though three persons, including one NRC staff member who required surgery, remained under specialist care, with two having since undergone surgical procedures.
The Corporation clarified that its initial toll of five fatalities was later corrected to four, following verification with the Delta State Medical Team that handled the deceased.
Tracing the process behind the report, the NRC said it activated an internal investigation team shortly after the incident to establish the circumstances surrounding the derailment and identify measures to prevent a recurrence.
The team adopted a structured methodology, combining site inspections, evidence collection at the derailment scene and a thorough review of operational records, including train logs and communication data.
It also carried out technical examinations of locomotives, rolling stock and safety-critical components, backed by departmental reports, and interviewed witnesses, the train crew, operations staff, maintenance personnel and emergency responders to capture firsthand accounts.
The Corporation said the team further reviewed medical and casualty assessments, including injury and fatality records, alongside emergency response activities.
It analysed track infrastructure, turnout arrangements and communication systems within the affected section, and assessed the effectiveness of rescue, evacuation, medical response, recovery operations and incident management procedures carried out after the derailment.
On its findings, the NRC said preliminary observations pointed to the possible sudden development of a bogie or wheel defect while the train was en route, an observation it said was being probed further as a potential primary factor in the derailment.
It explained that such a defect may have triggered abnormal wheel-rail interaction, excessive impact loading and loss of running stability.
The Corporation added that the possible manner of brake application may have worsened the outcome, but stressed that these remained working hypotheses, noting that the definitive cause or causes would be established through comprehensive analysis and set out in the final report.
The Corporation disclosed that site examination by the inquiry team found the points intact, with no evidence of track vandalism, a finding that set the incident apart from two earlier accidents on the same service, recorded on 1 November 2025 and 8 November 2025, which were attributed to track vandalism.
In line with statutory requirements, the NRC said the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) had commenced an independent investigation, stressing that the Corporation was cooperating fully and would be guided by its findings and recommendations, which remained pending.
Arising from its internal probe, the NRC put forward six corrective and preventive measures. It recommended strengthening rolling stock and infrastructure management through comprehensive inspections and safety audits before equipment returns to service, backed by enhanced maintenance, condition-monitoring programmes and timely replacement of defective components.
It also called for a review of existing operational procedures to replace obsolete practices with updated Standard Operating Procedures, alongside stronger compliance monitoring and enforcement.
Other recommendations covered enhanced emergency preparedness through regular drills, improved rescue capabilities and better coordination among response agencies, as well as stronger human capacity development through continuous staff training and periodic competency assessments.
The Corporation further called for sustainable funding to support ongoing railway modernisation and new infrastructure, alongside a review of its insurance and compensation framework to strengthen welfare protection for passengers and staff.
Explaining the delay in releasing the report, the NRC said it appreciated the patience of Nigerians, noting that the fatalities recorded in the incident called for painstaking efforts to ensure every relation of those involved was duly informed through a structured medical and victim support procedure.
The Corporation expressed deep regret over the tragedy and extended condolences to the families of the deceased, stating that it remained committed to implementing all recommendations arising from both its internal review and the independent NSIB investigation.
It said its priority was to strengthen railway safety, improve operational resilience and restore public confidence in rail transportation.
The NRC disclosed that the affected track had been fully recovered and restored, while the locomotives involved had been recovered and were undergoing reconditioning ahead of any resumption of operations.
It stated that resumption of service on the corridor would depend on the completion of a detailed track and equipment safety audit.
