The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has suspended operations along the Warri-Itakpe rail line for 72 hours following a major engine failure that left passengers stranded in a remote and forested area of Kogi State on Wednesday, April 9.
The incident, which occurred around 1:38 PM, affected the 8:00 AM departure from Warri and the 2:00 PM service from Itakpe. Passengers were forced to abandon the broken-down train and trek through what one commuter described as an “evil forest,” notorious for the presence of armed herders and poor mobile network coverage.
In a statement issued Thursday and signed by Henrietta Eregare on behalf of the NRC management, the Corporation confirmed the breakdown and acknowledged multiple technical failures, including the failure of emergency recovery efforts.
“The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) wishes to inform the general public and our valued passengers that a significant disruption occurred on the Warri-Itakpe rail line… due to multiple technical issues involving a train engine failure,” the statement read. “Management has consequently suspended train services on the route for 72 hours.”
Passengers were eventually evacuated from the site by road, but not before several endured a long and frightening trek through dense forest in search of help. Human rights activist Kola Edokpayi, who was aboard the train, shared a video from the scene, describing the ordeal as an “endurance trek” that lasted over three hours.
“We became apprehensive,” Edokpayi said. “We were stranded in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by forest and with no idea how long the repair would take. So, we decided to start trekking.”
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Despite initial fears, he recounted a surprising act of kindness from Fulani herders encountered during the journey. “They were very helpful… They guided us and showed kindness throughout the walk.”
Edokpayi criticized the state of Nigeria’s transportation infrastructure, citing the incident as a symptom of broader systemic failure. “Airlines cancel flights without notice, roads are unsafe due to kidnappers and poor conditions, and now trains are breaking down in forests. May God continue to help us in this country,” he said.
The NRC stated that the suspension would allow its technical team to conduct a full audit and implement necessary repairs to ensure safety and reliability on the route. It also assured affected passengers of a full refund or revalidation of their tickets.
“We deeply regret the inconvenience caused by this unexpected disruption. The Nigerian Railway Corporation takes full responsibility and is actively working to restore normal operations as quickly as possible,” the statement added.
