The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has prolonged the suspension of the Warri-Itakpe Train Services (WITS) beyond the initial 72-hour period, despite resolving the technical malfunctions that prompted the halt.
The decision, announced in a recent statement, aims to facilitate comprehensive safety enhancements and operational upgrades aligned with global standards
The NRC had earlier suspended operations on the Warri-Itakpe rail line for 72 hours on April 10, 2025, due to engine failures that disrupted services on April 9.
Even though the 72-hour window has passed and the technical issues have been resolved, the suspension remains in place to allow for the implementation of safety redundancies and system upgrades.
In February 2025, operations were halted due to a technical fault but resumed in the same month.
While the primary technical malfunctions have been resolved, the corporation emphasized that further time is required to install backup systems and infrastructure upgrades, which are critical to securing sustained operational reliability and enhancing passenger satisfaction
Dr. Kayode Opeifa, NRC’s Managing Director, said the extra measures are necessary to align operations with global best practices.
“The general public will recall that the management of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) temporarily suspended full rail services on the Warri Itakpe Train Services (WITS) on Thursday, 10th April, 2025, due to some technical and operational issues for safety, better customer service experience, and improved operational efficiencies.
“The management of the Corporation, under the leadership of Dr. Kayode Opeif, a wishes to further clarify that while the major technical issues has been resolved by our technical team, additional time is required to implement necessary redundancies that will support sustainable operations in line with best practices,” the statement read in part.
The additional time will allow the NRC to make procedural upgrades and improve the overall safety standards of the equipment used on the Warri-Itakpe line.
Passengers are advised to follow official NRC channels for updates, as safety and operational standards remain the corporation’s priority.
Earlier, in July 2024, a derailment involving several coaches occurred near Ujevwu, Delta State. While no injuries were reported, the incident led to a two-day service suspension for maintenance.
The NRC thanked passengers for their patience and reaffirmed its commitment to restoring the Warri-Itakpe service soon with improved efficiency and reliability.
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