Osun State Government Provides Free Train for Travelers, As Warri-Itakpe Line Resumes Today

By DAPO OLAWUNI

The Osun State Government in the mood and spirit of Id El Fitr celebration has provided a free train ride for travellers from the Oshogbo terminal in Osun State back to Iddo Terminal in Lagos.

The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) which announced this on Sunday, also informed that the Warri-Itakpe train services will resume operations on Monday, April 24, 2023

According to the NRC, the free train ride by Osun State Government equally takes place on Monday, April 24, 2023 by 10am.

The Station Manager of Warri-Itakpe line, Helma Sani, disclosed that the line is resuming for operations.

He said, “We are resuming operation on Monday 24/4/2023.”

Recall that in January 2023, 148 passengers and 38 crew members of a train plying the Warri-Itakpe route escaped death when the train derailed inside the Kogi forest, forcing them (passengers) to be stranded.

Many passengers reportedly abandoned the train for fear of being kidnapped.
It was gathered that the train left Warri early Sunday and got derailed at around noon inside the forest between Ajaokuta and Itakpe.

The Delta and Kogi State police commands could not immediately confirm the incident, but the Managing Director of Nigerian Railway Corporation, Fidet Okhiria, confirmed it.

The NRC boss said, “The train derailed and we were able to move the passengers out of the place. We will announce when to commence operation again. Yes, we have evacuated the passengers.”

As a result of this, the Nigerian Railway Corporation through the Coordinator of Warri Itakpe Train Service, Sanni Abdulganiyu, suspended rail operations on the corridor.