NSIB intensifies probe into Warri-Itakpe train derailment

The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau NSIB, has announced that its investigation into Monday’s train derailment on the Warri-Itakpe rail corridor is advancing, with critical evidence retrieved and key on-site activities completed.

The accident occurred on June 8, 2026 along the Agbor axis of Delta State, disrupting one of Nigeria’s key standard-gauge rail lines. The NSIB disclosed in a statement on Wednesday that its Director-General, Capt. Alex Badeh Jr., led an investigation team to the scene shortly after being notified of the incident.

Badeh was accompanied by the Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, Kayode Opeifa, and the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Transportation, Engr. Funsho Adebiyi.

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According to the bureau, investigators documented the accident site, examined affected rail equipment and infrastructure, gathered operational and technical information, and interviewed relevant personnel involved in the train’s operation.

Speaking at the scene, Badeh offered condolences to the families of victims and pledged a thorough inquiry. “We will follow the facts wherever they lead and generate actionable safety recommendations aimed at systematically addressing identified risks and preventing a recurrence on our railway network,” he said.

The NSIB said Badeh also visited injured passengers receiving treatment at hospitals and primary healthcare centres in the area.

The bureau stressed that the investigation was safety-focused rather than punitive. “The purpose of the investigation is not to apportion blame or determine civil or criminal liability, but to establish the circumstances of the occurrence, identify causal and contributing factors, and determine measures that can enhance the safety of rail transportation operations in Nigeria,” it stated.

The NSIB acknowledged the support of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, the Federal Ministry of Transportation and the Nigerian Air Force, whose cooperation it said facilitated the team’s deployment and access to facilities. The National Emergency Management Agency also dispatched responders to the scene following the incident.

The bureau said its findings and safety recommendations would be published upon completion of the investigation.