NRC Averts Disaster After Vandals Damage 250km of Warri-Itakpe Rail Line
Samuel Mobolaji
The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has averted a major train accident along the Warri-Itakpe rail corridor after vandals removed bolts and clips from 250 kilometres of track in Delta State.
According to a statement by Dr Onyedikachi Onovo, District Public Relations Officer, Enugu, the alarm raised by the Agbarho vigilante group in Ughelli North Local Government Area prompted the swift mobilisation of NRC engineers to the vandalised section near Agbarho-Okpara. The intervention prevented what could have been a catastrophic derailment.
NRC Managing Director, Dr Kayode Opeifa, confirmed that the Warri-Itakpe passenger train, WITS 01, experienced a 40-minute delay on May 12, 2025, as a result of the emergency repairs. The railway team replaced the stolen track components and declared the section safe for operation.
Dr Opeifa said, “Upon receiving the report from the Agbarho Community Vigilante, our officers were quickly dispatched to verify and restore the vandalised track segment. The missing bolts and clips were replaced, allowing the train to safely proceed.”
In a related incident in the Eastern District, vandals attacked Bridge No. 24 at KM284 in the Oghaho section of Nkanu East Local Government Area, Enugu State. Railway police and engineering teams sent from Enugu found that two bridge spans had been cut into pieces using gas-cutting equipment.
Although the criminals had fled the scene, NRC officials recovered the heavy bridge beams, which had been left behind. Efforts are ongoing to secure and restore the structure.
Dr Opeifa condemned the acts of sabotage, praising the Agbarho vigilante group for their vigilance and urging other communities to protect railway infrastructure in their areas. He also called on security agencies to intensify efforts in curbing such attacks, reaffirming NRC’s readiness to support them in safeguarding national assets.
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