The Nigerian Railway Corporation has again temporarily suspended the Warri-Itakpe Train Service (WITS) following technical concerns and operational challenges flagged by its engineers.
The announcement was made on Wednesday in a statement issued by Callistus Unyimadu, the corporation’s Chief Public Relations Officer, who said the suspension became necessary to allow for critical operational assessments aimed at improving safety, reliability, and service delivery along the corridor.
According to the NRC, engineers advised that operations be halted temporarily to address technical issues affecting the route.
“The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) says it has temporarily suspended the Warri-Itakpe Train Service (WITS) due to operational exigencies and technical advice from its engineers,” the statement noted.
The corporation apologised to passengers and stakeholders for the inconvenience, assuring travellers that work is ongoing to restore services as quickly as possible. It added that an update on the resumption date would be communicated before the end of the week.
The NRC also reiterated its commitment to providing safe, efficient, and customer-friendly rail transportation services nationwide.
The disruption comes just days after the Federal Government approved a temporary 50 per cent reduction in train fares across all NRC passenger routes to ease transportation costs during the Eid-el-Kabir celebration period.
The discount, which took effect on May 26, 2026, is expected to remain in place until June 1, 2026. Passengers who purchased tickets before the announcement at full price are eligible for rebates that can be used for future travel within the validity period.
While operations on other routes remain unaffected, the Warri-Itakpe corridor has continued to experience recurring technical setbacks over the past year.
The Warri-Itakpe rail line has witnessed several suspensions in recent months due to engine failures, operational faults, and maintenance issues.
In July 2025, the NRC suspended operations on the route for two days over technical problems. Earlier in April 2025, services were halted for 72 hours after multiple engine failures disrupted operations.
Another suspension occurred in February 2025 following a technical fault before services resumed later that month.
The corridor also recorded a derailment incident in July 2024 near Ujevwu in Delta State, forcing a temporary shutdown for repairs, although no casualties were reported.
Industry observers say the recurring disruptions highlight the urgent need for sustained investment in rail infrastructure, maintenance systems, and rolling stock reliability to support Nigeria’s growing rail transportation ambitions.
