Sunday’s Warri–Itakpe train derailment, four days after the resumption of train service was announced has been blamed on persistent vandalism along the rail tracks.
Making this known during Monday’s edition of Channels Television’s ‘The Morning Brief’, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Kayode Opeifa lamented that the accident occurred despite recent maintenance work and security measures along the corridor.
“Two months ago, the line was put on hold because there was a need for safety and security. We reopened after fixing almost every kilometre of the track, replacing clips, landrolls, and bolts in several areas.
“However, we also discovered that on this track, there are regular vandalism not unique to this side but to many other sides in the bushes, and our responsibility is to secure them,” The NRC Boss pointed out.
While disclosing that the derailment was caused by the removal of four fish plates and flat iron pieces used to join rail tracks, the train had safely passed the same route earlier in the day from Onyewu to Itakpe via Agbor, indicating that the removed components were likely tampered with after that movement.
“At the site that particular night, we discovered that there were four fish plates that were removed and possibly the cause of the incident.
“At the back of every train in this neighbourhood is a guard train that watches over what is going on behind. We still have men working daily on these tracks,” he revealed.
According to him, 503 passengers were onboard at the time of the derailment, with 446 travelling beyond Agbor station toward Abraka, where the incident occurred.
He pointed out that all 446 passengers were accounted for and safely returned to Agbor, adding that some who chose to stay back were provided with water, drinks, and light refreshments under security watch.
