By Seun Ibiyemi
The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has identified a possible sudden bogie or wheel defect as the likely cause of the June 8, 2026, Warri-Itakpe train derailment that killed four people and injured 64 others.
The NRC disclosed this in its preliminary internal investigation report made available to journalists on Monday, while stressing that the finding remains a working hypothesis pending the conclusion of an independent investigation by the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB).
According to the corporation, the suspected wheel defect may have developed while the train was in motion, potentially resulting in abnormal wheel-rail interaction, excessive impact loading and loss of running stability.
“The definitive cause or causes of the accident will be determined through comprehensive analysis and will be set out in the final report,” the NRC stated.
The internal inquiry also identified the possible manner of brake application as a factor that may have contributed to the severity of the derailment, although the NRC said this had not been established as a definitive cause.
The accident occurred after the train departed Itakpe at about noon with 482 people on board, comprising 442 passengers and 40 operational personnel.
Five coaches, a locomotive and a power car derailed during the incident. Three coaches and the power car overturned, while the other derailed rolling stock remained upright.
Despite the severity of the accident, the NRC said all passengers were evacuated within two hours following a coordinated emergency response involving the Delta State Government, police, Federal Road Safety Corps, National Emergency Management Agency, local authorities and medical teams.
Four Confirmed Dead, 64 Injured
The corporation said four people — three adults and a child — died in the accident, while 64 others sustained injuries ranging from bruises and deep lacerations to blunt trauma, musculoskeletal strain, lumbar and maxillofacial injuries.
Twenty-eight injured passengers were treated and discharged at the Railway Hospital, Owa-Oyibu, while another 36 were taken to general hospitals in Owa-Oyibu, Owa-Alero and the Central Hospital, Agbor.
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The NRC said most of those admitted were discharged within 72 hours, while three people remained under specialist medical care. An NRC staff member required surgery, while two of the injured subsequently underwent surgical procedures.
The corporation also corrected an earlier report that five people had died, saying verification with the Delta State Medical Team, which handled the deceased, confirmed the death toll at four.
The NRC inquiry further found no evidence of track vandalism, adding that the railway points were intact.
The finding distinguishes the June 8 incident from two previous accidents involving the same Warri-Itakpe service on November 1 and November 8, 2025, which were attributed to track vandalism.
The corporation said it had fully cooperated with the NSIB, which commenced an independent investigation in line with its statutory responsibilities.
“The Nigerian Railway Corporation is fully cooperating with the NSIB investigation and will be guided by its findings and recommendations,” it said.
The NRC said the final determination of the cause of the derailment would therefore depend on the outcome of the ongoing NSIB investigation and further technical analysis.
