The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has announced that the Warri–Itakpe Train Service (WITS) will resume operations on Wednesday, October 29, 2025. The service had been temporarily suspended for several weeks to allow the NRC to conduct comprehensive maintenance and safety checks.
Suspension Details and Safety Measures
- Reason for Suspension: The temporary halt was necessary to carry out critical repairs, maintenance, and system checks on the track and rolling stock, ensuring passenger comfort, reliability, and safety.
- Extended Checks: The NRC initially suspended the line in April following a technical disruption, which included multiple engine failures. While the core issues were fixed quickly, the management extended the suspension period to implement additional safety redundancies and procedural improvements, aligning the service with global best practices.
Ticketing and Operations
- Online Booking: The NRC’s online booking portal will reopen at 12 noon on Monday, October 27, 2025, for advance ticket purchases.
- Service Capacity: Operations will commence with a total of seven coaches: six standard class and one business class coach.
- Safety Timetable: The new train timetable will be released on Monday and will include temporary speed restrictions (TSR) for enhanced safety monitoring.
The NRC apologised for the inconvenience caused by the suspension and assured passengers of its renewed dedication to providing safe and reliable service on the Warri-Itakpe corridor. The statement was signed by Callistus Unyimadu, Chief Public Relations Officer of the NRC.
