Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Nigerian Railway Corporation has released its preliminary report on the June 8, 2026, derailment of the Warri–Itakpe Train Service at Owa-Oyibu, near the Goodluck Jonathan Railway Station in Delta State, identifying a possible bogie and wheel defect as the primary cause of the tragic incident that claimed four lives and left 64 others injured. The report, made public on Monday, August 24, 2026, by the NRC Managing Director, Kayode Opeifa, also noted that the manner in which the brakes were applied may have contributed to the severity of the derailment. However, the Corporation stressed that the findings remain provisional, as an independent investigation by the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau is still ongoing.
The preliminary investigation found that the track points were intact, with no evidence of vandalism found, ruling out sabotage as a factor in the incident. Instead, investigators focused on the sudden development of a bogie and wheel defect while the train was en route, coupled with the application of brakes, which may have exacerbated the situation. The train, which was carrying 482 passengers, derailed, affecting five coaches, a locomotive and a power car. The incident claimed four lives—three adults and one child—and left 64 people injured, many of whom were rushed to hospitals in Warri and surrounding areas.
In response to the findings, the NRC has recommended a series of measures to prevent future incidents, including stronger rolling-stock inspections, improved safety procedures, enhanced emergency preparedness, better staff training and sustainable funding for railway modernisation. The Corporation has also committed to conducting comprehensive safety audits across its network, with the resumption of the Warri–Itakpe train service dependent on the completion of these audits. The NRC has restored the affected track, while the locomotives are currently undergoing reconditioning.
The NRC Managing Director, Kayode Opeifa, commended stakeholders for their support during the incident, expressed condolences to the families of the deceased, and reaffirmed the Corporation's commitment to improving railway safety and restoring public confidence. He stated, "The safety of our passengers is our utmost priority. We will ensure that all recommendations from this preliminary report and the ongoing independent investigation are fully implemented to prevent a recurrence of such a tragedy". The release of the preliminary report marks an important step towards accountability and transparency in Nigeria's railway sector, as the NRC works to rebuild public trust in the nation's rail transport system.
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