The Management of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has announced the arrest of two suspected vandals believed to be responsible for the recent derailment of the Warri-Itakpe Train Service (WITS) near Agbor in Delta State.
In a statement signed by Kayode Opeifa, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Corporation, the suspects identified as Mudansuru Mutari, 27, and Blorie Kokori, 39 were apprehended around Kilometer 208 before Abraka, Delta State, on Tuesday.
The arrests were made by operatives of the NRC Police Command in collaboration with local security agents.
According to the statement, preliminary investigations and the suspects’ confessional statements revealed their direct involvement in the removal of clips and fasteners from the rail track, which led to the derailment.
Opeifa commended the Railway Police Command and community security networks for their swift and coordinated response, describing the arrests as a major step in protecting national assets and ensuring passenger safety.
He warned that the suspects would face the full weight of the law for sabotaging critical national infrastructure and endangering public lives.
Reiterating NRC’s zero-tolerance stance on vandalism, the Managing Director described such acts as economic sabotage and a serious threat to national security.
He assured that the Corporation would continue to collaborate with security agencies to ensure that all perpetrators are apprehended and prosecuted to serve as a deterrent to others.
In a related development, Opeifa confirmed that the re-railment and full restoration of the affected section of the Warri-Itakpe track were completed on Sunday, November 2, 2025. He added that following a comprehensive safety inspection and operational audit, normal train services on the corridor would resume on Wednesday, November 5, 2025.
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The NRC boss reassured passengers and stakeholders of the Corporation’s unwavering commitment to safety, reliability, and efficiency. He noted that the NRC is intensifying surveillance efforts, deploying advanced security technologies, and strengthening community engagement across all railway corridors.
Opeifa also expressed appreciation to passengers and the general public for their patience and understanding during the temporary suspension of operations.
