Possible Wheel Defect Under Probe as NRC Releases Preliminary Report on Fatal Warri–Itakpe Train Derailment

The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has said a possible sudden defect involving a train bogie or wheel is being investigated as a potential primary factor in the June 8, 2026 derailment of the Warri–Itakpe Train Service (WITS) in Delta State, which claimed four lives and left 64 others injured.

The corporation, in its preliminary report on the accident, stressed that the suspected wheel defect and the manner of brake application remained working hypotheses, adding that the definitive cause of the tragic incident would be established after further investigations.

The accident occurred at approximately 4:17pm at Kilometre 177, Owa-Oyibu, near the Goodluck Jonathan Railway Station in Agbor, Delta State.

According to the NRC, the train departed Itakpe at 12 noon on June 8 with a total of 482 people on board, comprising 442 passengers and 40 operational personnel.

The train was approaching the Outer Home signal of the Goodluck Jonathan Railway Station when the derailment occurred.

The accident affected five coaches, a locomotive and a power car. Three coaches and the power car overturned, while other affected railway vehicles derailed but remained upright.

The NRC confirmed that four people – three adults and one child – died as a result of the derailment.

The corporation explained that an earlier figure of five fatalities was subsequently reviewed and corrected after verification with the Delta State medical team that handled the bodies of the deceased.

A total of 64 people were also injured in the accident, with injuries ranging from bruises and deep cuts to blunt trauma, musculoskeletal strain, lumbar symptoms and maxillofacial injuries.

The corporation said emergency response operations were immediately activated after the derailment, with the NRC receiving support from the Delta State Government and relevant emergency agencies.

Other organisations involved in the rescue effort included the Nigeria Police Force, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), local authorities and medical personnel.

According to the NRC, all passengers were successfully evacuated from the accident scene within two hours.

Twenty-eight passengers received medical treatment at the Railway Hospital in Owa-Oyibu and were subsequently discharged, while another 36 were taken to the General Hospitals in Owa-Oyibu and Owa-Alero, as well as the Central Hospital in Agbor. Most of those admitted to medical facilities were discharged within 72 hours. 

However, three persons, including an NRC employee who required surgical intervention, remained under specialist medical care. The corporation also disclosed that two persons subsequently underwent surgical procedures.

NRC Examines Technical, Operational Factors

In its preliminary findings, the NRC said its internal accident investigation team observed the possible sudden development of a bogie or wheel defect while the train was in motion.

It said such a defect could have caused abnormal interaction between the train wheels and the rail, excessive impact loading and a loss of running stability.

The corporation, however, cautioned against reaching a final conclusion, saying the observation was still being investigated.

“The definitive cause or causes of the accident will be determined through comprehensive analysis and will be set out in the final report,” the NRC said.

The investigation also noted that the possible manner of brake application could have contributed to the severity of the outcome.

The corporation said its inquiry team adopted a comprehensive investigation process, including physical inspections at the accident site, collection of evidence and examination of operational records.

Train logs and communication records were reviewed, while technical examinations were conducted on the locomotive, rolling stock and other safety-critical components.

The team also interviewed witnesses, members of the train crew, operations personnel, maintenance workers and emergency responders.

Medical and casualty records were reviewed alongside the emergency response, rescue and evacuation operations.

The NRC said investigators also examined the condition of the railway infrastructure, including the track, turnout arrangements and communication systems in the affected section.

One of the significant findings of the preliminary inquiry was the absence of evidence of track vandalism.

The NRC said its investigators found that the points at the accident location were intact and that there was no indication that railway infrastructure had been deliberately tampered with.

This, it said, distinguished the June 8 accident from two previous incidents involving the Warri–Itakpe Train Service on November 1 and November 8, 2025. The corporation said those earlier incidents had been attributed to track vandalism.

With vandalism ruled out as an apparent factor in the latest accident, attention is now focused on possible technical and operational issues as investigations continue.

The NRC said the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) had also commenced an independent investigation into the accident.

It said the corporation was cooperating fully with the bureau and would be guided by the findings and recommendations of the independent investigation.

The final report of the NSIB investigation is still awaited.

The NRC said the outcome of both investigations would be important in determining the definitive cause of the derailment and identifying additional measures required to prevent a recurrence.

As part of the preliminary report, the NRC recommended a series of corrective and preventive measures aimed at improving railway safety across the country.

Among the recommendations was a comprehensive inspection and safety audit of rolling stock, railway tracks and other critical infrastructure across all operational corridors before affected equipment is returned to service.

The corporation also called for stronger maintenance and condition-monitoring programmes, prompt replacement of defective components and improved availability of critical spare parts.

It said continued investment in modern rolling stock and railway infrastructure should remain a priority.

The NRC also recommended a review of existing operational procedures, including the replacement of outdated practices with updated Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

It called for stronger compliance monitoring and enforcement to ensure that railway personnel adhere strictly to established safety standards.

On emergency preparedness, the corporation recommended regular emergency drills, improved rescue capabilities and stronger coordination among government agencies and other emergency responders.

It also called for better communication and emergency awareness among passengers.

The report further highlighted the need for continuous professional development and regular competency assessments for railway employees.

According to the NRC, personnel should receive comprehensive training in accident prevention, emergency management and other areas necessary for safe and efficient railway operations.

The corporation also emphasised the importance of sustainable funding for railway modernisation, saying adequate financing was necessary to improve existing railway assets and develop additional infrastructure and services.

The corporation also recommended improvements to its insurance and compensation arrangements for passengers and employees.

It said the framework should provide adequate coverage for medical treatment, disability support and compensation in cases involving fatalities.

The NRC said such measures would demonstrate its commitment to the welfare and protection of railway passengers and staff.

The Managing Director of the NRC, Dr Kayode Opeifa, said the corporation regretted the incident and expressed condolences to the families of the four victims.

The corporation also explained that the preliminary report was delayed because of the need to carefully handle the fatalities and ensure that relatives of everyone involved were properly informed through an organised medical and victim support process.

The NRC said it remained committed to implementing recommendations arising from its internal Accident Enquiry Team and the independent NSIB investigation.

It added that its major priorities were strengthening railway safety, improving operational resilience and restoring public confidence in rail transportation.

Meanwhile, the NRC disclosed that recovery work at the accident site had been completed and the affected railway track fully restored.

The locomotives involved in the incident have also been recovered and are undergoing reconditioning.

However, the corporation said operations on the affected service would not resume automatically following the restoration of the track.

It said the resumption of the Warri–Itakpe Train Service would depend on the completion of a detailed safety audit of the track and railway equipment.

The preliminary report represents the NRC’s most detailed official account yet of the circumstances surrounding the fatal derailment, but the corporation maintained that the final cause of the accident would only be known after the completion of further technical analysis and the conclusion of the independent investigation by the NSIB.