A train on the Warri-Itakpe line carrying 148 passengers and 38 staff members narrowly avoided being killed on Sunday when the train crashed inside the Kogi forest, leaving the passengers stranded.
According to reports, many passengers got off the train out of fear for their safety.
According to information, the train left Warri early on Sunday and derailed at about midday inside a forest between Ajaokuta and Itakpe.
The managing director of Nigerian Railway Corporation, Fidet Okhiria, verified the occurrence after the Delta and Kogi State police commands were unable to do so right away.
The people who were stranded had already been removed, according to Okhiria, when he was speaking.
The NRC boss said, “The train derailed and we were able to move the passengers out of the place. We will announce when to commence operation again. Yes, we have evacuated the passengers.”
Service on the route has been halted by the NRC in the interim.
The Warri Itakpe Train WITS 01 derailed at Km 30 on the Ajaokuta-Itakpe stretch of the track at around 12:30 on Sunday, according to a message sent out by the coordinator of the Warri Itakpe Train Service, Sanni Abdulganiyu. He also noted that no casualties were reported.
The statement added that the derailment’s cause had not yet been determined and noted that all 148 passengers and 30 staff members had been successfully evacuated.
The message reads, ”Thankfully, there was no fatality and no casualty. We were immediately alerted and security personnel comprising the Army, Police, NSCDC, and the community vigilante were immediately drafted to the accident point with the assistance of the local government chairman.
“All the 148 passengers and 30 crew members were evacuated to a safe place and arrangements were made to convey 148 passengers to their various destinations and they have been successfully conveyed.
“The cause of the derailment is not yet determined. Due to this incident, the service along the corridor has been suspended. Further details would be communicated to members of the public.