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  • How we averted another suspension of Warri-Itakpe train service – NRC

    How we averted another suspension of Warri-Itakpe train service – NRC

    The Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) has responded to recent vandalism incidents on the Warri–Itakpe Train Service (WITS) line and another at Oghaho Section, Nkanu East LGA, Enugu State.

    Speaking on the incidents, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NRC, Dr Kayode Opeifa said it took the intervention of railway track and safety officers to avert another suspension of the Warri-Itakpe train service.

    Dr Opeifa raised serious concerns over the increasing rate of attacks on its facilities by criminal elements across various regions of the country.

    In a statement issued on Monday in Lagos, Opeifa said: “At the Warri–Itakpe line, the swift response of NRC management averted another suspension of operations”.

    He explained that a vigilante group in Agbarho Community, Delta State, alerted NRC officers about suspected track vandalism early Monday morning.

    Railway track and safety officers were immediately deployed to verify the report and take necessary safety measures, he stated.

    Upon inspection, they discovered that track components from km 250, Agbarho–Okpara Section, had been removed by vandals.

    The crew quickly replaced the stolen clips and bolts, making the track safe for train movement once more.

    “As a result, WITS 01 on May 12 was delayed by 40 minutes,” he added.

    In another incident, vandals targeted Bridge No. 24 at KM284, Oghaho Section, Enugu State, in the Eastern District.

    A team of Railway Police and engineers from Enugu visited the scene on Monday for assessment and security watch.

    “On arrival, they found the bridge’s steel frames had been cut using oxygen and acetylene tools,” he said.

    The vandals had fled, leaving the dismantled beams on the ground; recovery efforts are now underway.

    Opeifa said the site remains largely inaccessible due to insecurity and banditry, which has caused residents to abandon nearby communities.

    While praising security agencies for their efforts, he urged them to intensify action against this economic sabotage.

    He expressed appreciation to the Agbarho Community Vigilante for their vigilance and cooperation.

    He urged other communities to follow suit and safeguard railway infrastructure as vital national assets.

  • No more Thursdays operations, says NRC as Warri-Itakpe train service resumes

    No more Thursdays operations, says NRC as Warri-Itakpe train service resumes

    The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has announced resumption of operations for Warri-Itakpe Train Service (WITS).

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports WITS was suspended on April 10th 2025 due to technical and operational challenges, chief among them was multiple engine failures.

    However, NRC in a statement released on Monday by Callistus Unyimadu, Ag. Deputy Director Public Relations, disclosed that the issues that resulted in the suspension of the train service have been rectified.

    Unyimadu further disclosed that regular train services on the route will resume on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, adding that WIT services will now operate six days a week.

    “NRC Engineers have worked diligently to rectify the issues, enhance operational capacity, and improve service delivery.

    “Our esteemed passengers are required to kindly note that the WIT services will operate six days a week – Monday to Wednesday and Friday to Sunday.

    “Starting May 1, 2025, Thursdays will be reserved for maintenance of track and rolling stock,” the NRC stated.

    According to the corporation, passengers, who previously opted for tickets refund have been fully refunded.

    “Those who chose not to be refunded can revalidate their tickets for any preferred travel day via our E-ticketing platform,” it added.

    The statement reads in full below: “The Management of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) wishes to inform the public that following the suspension of Warri-Itakpe Train Service (WITS) on April 10th 2025, due to technical and operational challenges – chief among them multiple engine failures, services will resume on Wednesday, April 30, 2025.

    “The NRC management, led by MD/CEO Dr. Kayode Opeifa, sincerely apologizes to passengers, stakeholders, and the general public for the disruption caused during the suspension.

    “NRC Engineers have worked diligently to rectify the issues, enhance operational capacity, and improve service delivery.

    “Our esteemed passengers are required to kindly note that the WIT services will operate six days a week – Monday to Wednesday and Friday to Sunday. Starting May 1, 2025, Thursdays will be reserved for maintenance of track and rolling stock.

    “Passengers who previously opted for tickets refund have been fully refunded. Those who chose not to be refunded can revalidate their tickets for any preferred travel day via our E-ticketing platform. For assistance, please contact our ticketing line at 0903 788 0657.

    “We deeply regret the inconvenience caused and appreciate the patience, support, and cooperation of our esteemed customers and stakeholders. We assure you of enhanced and reliable service delivery”.

  • Warri-Itakpe train services still on hold – NRC

    Warri-Itakpe train services still on hold – NRC

    The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has announced that the Warri-Itakpe train service remains on hold.

    NRC Managing Director, Dr Kayode Opeifa, made this known in a statement on Saturday in Lagos.

    Opeifa reminded the public that the NRC temporarily suspended full services on the Warri-Itakpe Train Services (WITS) on Thursday, April 10, due to technical and operational issues.

    “This suspension is to ensure safety, better customer service experience, and improved operational efficiencies,” he said.

    He further explained that although the technical team had resolved the major issue, more time was needed to implement necessary redundancies for sustainable operations and address other operational matters related to customer service, equipment safety, and procedures.

    Opeifa apologised to affected passengers, businesses, and stakeholders for the inconvenience caused and assured them that the Warri-Itakpe train services would soon return “bigger, stronger, and better.”

  • BREAKING: Osun Govt announces free train ride for Easter

    BREAKING: Osun Govt announces free train ride for Easter

    The Osun State Government has announced free train ride to indigenes of the State willing to travel to Osun for Easter celebration.

    Mr Augustine Arisa, District Manager, Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC), confirmed this in an interview on Friday in Lagos.

    According to Arisa, the state government always provides free train service to its indigenes every festive period.

    “This is to enable the people of Osun to go home for the festive periods.

    “We carry them from Ido, Agege. As the train moves, it carries them. Even people who are going to Ibadan still enter and drop there because they know its on the route.

    “The NRC provides free train ride to everyone on the route, whether they are going to Osun or not.

    “As far as they are along that route, we carry them. We don’t ask if they are indigenes or not,” he said.

    He noted that the government of Osun had always collaborated with the Nigerian Railway Authority to give the free train ride.

    “This ensures that Osun people travel for the festive holidays without much stress,” he said.

  • Eastern rail line may be ready before 2027 – NRC MD

    Eastern rail line may be ready before 2027 – NRC MD

    The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Dr Kayode Opeifa, says the corporation is hopeful that the Federal Government will reconstruct the Eastern Railway line before 2027.

    Opeifa disclosed this during his “Familiarisation Tour To The Eastern District, Enugu” on Thursday.

    Acknowledging that lack of reconstruction affected the eastern rail line which was once the best and most vibrant rail corridor, Opeifa said the Federal Government was determined to make sure the corridor was back to working condition.

    “We are hopeful that it will be done before 2027 as the president is desirous to deliver it and it will be a good thing for it to be ready before 2027.

    “I can tell you, activities will begin in them soon. Eastern rail will come back very soon but there is no timeline as the timeline is based on weather and fund releases,” he said.

    He added that there was existing contract to repair the line from Port Harcourt to Enugu.

    “There are plans to get the track rolling from Port Harcourt to Onne and from Aba to Enugu and that plan is ongoing. It is a funding issue but it has been resolved,” Opeifa said.

    The Managing Director also debunked the report that work on the track was diverted from Eastern District to Gombe State.

    He however, explained that a contract could not be moved from one place to another, describing it as a “financial offence”.

    On the sales of NRC property in Enugu, the NRC boss said Railway Properties Management Company did not sell land but leased it out to generate revenue.

    “However, when it is grabbed by wrong people, then, it becomes an issue and we will move to recover them”.

    He pointed out that the corporation would demolish any building on rail line, warning individuals involved to remove them.

    On demolition of some of the training schools by the Enugu State Government, the managing director revealed that discussions were ongoing to resolve it.

    He assured staff on Grade Level six that the training schools across the nation would be brought back to life for the officers to upgrade their level, decrying that it was inhuman treatment for a staff to remain in a particular level for many years.

    Opeifa, however, called on Nigerians not to see railway asset as scrap but national asset, advising them to protect them.

    “Those unusable can be recycled but anyone calling to buy them as a scrap is a scammer while those involved in the act will be punished,” he reiterated.

    He commended the Abia and the Enugu State Governments as well as the Nigeria Police Force for protecting rail facilities in the zone.

    It will be recalled that the rail project, flagged off by former President Muhammadu Buhari in March 2021, was to be funded by 85 per cent foreign loan and 15 per cent counterpart contribution of the federal government, with a delivery timeline of two years.

    It was learnt that the federal government’s 15 per cent stake had been instrumental to the ongoing work on the Port Harcourt-Aba section of the over 2000km stretch but the rest has been left fallow.

    Besides complaints about the “unattractive” funding model, residents lamented the removal of the old rail tracks without a definite plan for their replacement.

    Moreso, the Eastern corridor got a narrow-gauge approval as opposed to the standard gauge on the South-West and North-West, stretches from Port Harcourt through the South-East, Middle-Belt, North-East and terminates in Maiduguri, Borno state.

  • NRC releases update on Warri-Itakpe train service

    NRC releases update on Warri-Itakpe train service

    The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has announced  temporary suspension of the Warri-Itakpe train service, noting that it would last for 72 hours.

    Managing Director of the NRC, Dr Kayode Opaifa, said this in a statement by Ms Henrietta Eregare, of the corporation’s Public Relations Department, issued to newsmen in Lagos on Thursday.

    “We wish to inform the general public and our valued passengers that a significant disruption occurred on the Warri-Itakpe rail line on Tuesday, April 8, due to multiple technical issues involving a train engine failure.

    “Management has consequently suspended train services on the route for 72 hours.

    “The disruption commenced at approximately 1.38 p.m. and affected both the 8.00 a.m. departure from Warri and the 2.00 p.m. train from Itakpe. Emergency recovery protocols were immediately activated, but also suffered a setback due to engine failures,” he said.

    Opeifa noted that following the incident, NRC swiftly arranged for the safe evacuation of all passengers, via road transport with adequate security presence.

    “Passengers were guided off the affected train to waiting cars, approximately 500 meters from the track.

    “Some passengers chose to arrange their own transportation before the arrival of official recovery vehicles; a decision NRC understands, given the delay,” he said.

    According to him,  in view of the situation therefore, the NRC has suspended operations on the Warri-Itakpe route for 72 hours.

    ALSO READ || Highway to the grave: Warri-Itakpe Train Service, a disaster waiting to happen

    He added that this pause would allow the NRC technical team to conduct a full audit, resolve all identified issues and restore safe and reliable service.

    “All passengers with tickets for the affected services are eligible for a full refund or revalidation for future travel, based on their preference.

    “Detailed information on refund and revalidation process is available on our online ticketing platforms, via our customer service lines and at all NRC stations.

    “We deeply regret the inconveniences  caused by this unexpected disruption. The NRC takes full responsibility and is actively working to restore normal operations as quickly as possible.

    “We remain committed to the safety, reliability and comfort of our passengers and we sincerely appreciate the patience, understanding and continued support of the public during this time,” he said.

  • NRC suspends Warri-Itakpe train operations

    NRC suspends Warri-Itakpe train operations

    Train services on the Warri-Itakpe route have been suspended by the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC)  due to a mechanical fault on its locomotive.

    The mechanical fault which occurred around 1:30 pm yesterday left over 200 passengers stranded.  The incident according to an official of the corporation happened about 14 kilometres to Itakpe.

    Prior to their evacuation, personnel of the Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security, Civil Defence Corps and local vigilantes were deployed to the area to beef up security in the area.

    The corporation, in a notice announcing confirming the development,  apologised for the inconvenience caused the passengers.

    It promised that service would resume on the route today  ‘’as our  team is working diligently to resolve the issue.’’

  • NRC ready for cargo train services – Opeifa

    NRC ready for cargo train services – Opeifa

    The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) says the Western district is ready for cargo train movement between Lagos and Kano on the narrow gauge.

    The Managing Director of NRC, Dr Kayode Opeifa, said this on Tuesday, at Dugbe Ibadan Narrow Gauge Train Station, after inspecting Moniya Freight Park.

    “The essence of this tour is to enable us to access our readiness to handle the cargo side of our business as business and logistics facilitator.

    “We are happy with the extent of what we have seen and we can comfortably say we are ready to move any manner of cargo for any of our customers,” he said.

    At Omi Adio, Opeifa after inspecting the facility put in place to establish another cargo park, directed the acquisition of more land around the proposed dry port area to provide for anticipated business for the dry port.

    The inspection took Opeifa and his management team to the Obafemi Awolowo Train Station, Moniya and the Moniya Cargo Park, where he inspected the readiness of the port to facilitate cargo business.

    During inspection at the Western District Headquarters at Dugbe, he charged workers to double their effort and improve the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of the railway.

    “I can approve an improvement in your allowances once we improve our IGR. So, let us be committed to doubling our efforts,” he said.

    He said management was determined to recommence cargo commitment from Lagos to Kano, adding that he would be at Ibadan to flag off the Dugbe end of the movement once the service begins.

    He also commended railway women, urging them to continue to prove their mettle in keeping the wheel of the rail going.

    Addressing the welfare of pensioners, Opeifa assured that the corporation would continue to work at improving their welfare.

    “I do not need to be told, I can feel so many things and I can only assure you that the management will continue to work at improving your living conditions,” he said.

    On vandals sabotaging the corporation efforts at improving its services, Opeifa emphasised that there were no scraps in the Nigerian Railway Corporation.

    “All we have are rail materials. All our materials are in serviceable conditions. From here, we are moving cement from Ewekoro to Osogbo and to Ilorin.

    “All these wagons you see, all these rail sleepers, all these irons are still working and all security operatives have been directed to arrest and prosecute anyone caught vandalising our property.

    “No one is permitted to carry our materials. No letter of approval is sufficient to allow anyone to do so, security operatives should put a call across to us to enable us authenticate such activity,” he said.

    At the Ladoke Akintola Train Station, Omi Adio, Dr Seye Oyeleye, the Director General of Development Agenda for Western Nigeria, expressed readiness to work with the corporation to reactivate the narrow gauges within some states in the Southwest for mass transportation.

  • BREAKING: Finally NRC breaks silence over suspension of Warri-Itakpe train service

    BREAKING: Finally NRC breaks silence over suspension of Warri-Itakpe train service

    The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has finally opened up after suspending operation on the Warri-Itakpe Train Service (WITS) route.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports NRC to have said a minor technical glitch happened on the Warri-Itakpe train service while en route Ujevwu in Delta State on Tuesday evening of 18th February 2025.

    According to the NRC, the glitch which occurred around 18:00 hours made all passengers to spend the night at the Ajaokuta Train Station, until the early hours of the morning of Wednesday.

    The NRC has apologized for the unforeseen glitch in a statement by Yakub Mahmood, Deputy Director Public Relations of the corporation.

    The statement reads: “The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) Management announced a minor technical glitch on the ITAKPE-WARRI Train Service while enroute Warri in Delta state on Tuesday evening of 18th February 2025.

    “The glitch which occurred around 18:00 hours, made all passengers to spend the night at the Ajaokuta Train Station, until the early hours of the morning of Wednesday, when they continued their trip and eventually got back to the Warri Station and safely back to their destination.

    “The Director operations Mr Akin Osinowo, on behalf of the NRC Management expressed gratitude and commendation to the Government and officials of Kogi state for the adequate security provided at the site of the glitch. This gave the passengers confidence of being secured and safe throughout the period until when another locomotive came in the early hours that conveyed them to their destination.

    “The Management also instructed the ticket concessionaire to send a bulk message to all passengers on board, apologizing for the failure and the 100 percent refund of their ticket fare.

    “The Management apologized for the unforeseen glitch, especially to our esteemed passengers even as it assured Nigerians of its readiness to continue to work at providing a convenient, comfortable, safe and affordable train service on any of our route.

    “We again apologize to all our passengers on the train on the said day for the inconveniences, the Corporation would continue to work on its systems to ensure that such does not reoccur on the WITS or any of our national train corridors again”.

  • BREAKING: NRC suspends Warri-Itakpe train operations

    BREAKING: NRC suspends Warri-Itakpe train operations

    Following our earlier report, the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has announced suspension of train operations on the Warri-Itakpe Train Service (WITS) route.

    According to NRC, train operations are suspended on the WITS route to allow for essential technical maintenance.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports NRC on Wednesday announced the temporary suspension of operations for February 20, 2025, stressing it is a “proactive measure necessary to ensure the safety and efficiency of services”.

    The railway corporation disclosed in a notice on its booking website that normal train operations will resume on Friday, February 21, 2025.

    The notice reads: “Please be informed that train operations will be temporarily suspended tomorrow, February 20, 2025, to allow for essential technical maintenance. This proactive measure is necessary to ensure the safety and efficiency of our services.

    “We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your patience. Normal train operations will resume on Friday, February 21, 2025”.

    Earlier, NRC had announced cancellation of regular train service scheduled for today 19th February 2025, citing “unforeseen circumstances”.

    TNG reports NRC did not open up on the nature of the “unforeseen circumstances” but the cancellation is expected to impact hundreds of passengers, highlighting the challenges passengers are facing with the train service.