Reps Seek Probe Of Itakpe-Warri Train Derailment, Push Rail Expansion To Four States
The House of Representatives has called for a comprehensive investigation into the June 8, 2026 derailment of a Warri-bound train along the Itakpe-Warri railway corridor, which claimed four lives and left 64 others injured.
The House also urged the Federal Government to develop an integrated railway master plan to extend the existing corridor to Abuja and four South-South states: Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River.
The resolutions followed a motion moved by Mitema Obordor, representing Bayelsa State, who called for urgent measures to strengthen railway safety and expand connectivity across the country.
The lawmakers urged the Federal Ministry of Transportation, the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) and the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) to conclude a thorough investigation into the incident and implement measures to prevent a recurrence.
They also called for comprehensive safety inspections and regular maintenance of railway tracks to identify potential hazards and restore safe, reliable train operations along the route.
As part of its resolutions, the House mandated its Committee on Land Transport to engage relevant ministries, departments and agencies, monitor compliance and report back within four weeks for further legislative action.
Moving the motion, Obordor said the 326-kilometre Itakpe-Ajaokuta-Warri standard-gauge railway, which commenced commercial operations on September 29, 2020, remained an important transportation link for passengers and freight between Kogi and Delta states.
He recalled that the Warri-Itakpe train derailed near the Goodluck Jonathan Railway Station in Owa-Oyibu, Agbor, Delta State, on June 8, 2026, resulting in four fatalities and 64 injuries, according to preliminary reports by the NRC.
The lawmaker warned that frequent disruptions to railway services could undermine public confidence, deny commuters access to affordable and reliable transportation, and increase dependence on road travel, with its attendant costs, delays and security challenges.
He further stressed the need to extend modern railway infrastructure to Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River to facilitate the movement of passengers, agricultural produce, manufactured goods and other commodities across the South-South region.
Obordor also cited the 19th National Council on Transportation, held from August 31 to September 3, 2026, where the Federal Government reaffirmed its commitment to integrated transportation development and endorsed the Cross River State Government’s proposed Uyo-Calabar railway corridor, with a terminus at the Cross River State Deep Sea Port.
According to him, connecting the existing Itakpe-Warri railway line to Abuja and the four proposed South-South destinations would strengthen national transportation networks, improve access to markets and essential services, ease pressure on highways and promote economic integration.
He maintained that immediate safety improvements and deliberate railway expansion planning were essential to ensuring reliable passenger and freight services, enhancing connectivity between the North-Central and South-South regions, and unlocking the economic potential of the affected states.
