- NSIB Recovers Key Evidence in Warri-Itakpe Train Derailment Probe
- Death Toll Hits Five
- 482 Passengers Onboard
The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has recovered critical evidence from the scene of Monday’s train derailment along the Warri-Itakpe rail corridor as efforts intensify to determine the immediate and underlying causes of the accident.
Eko Hot Blog reports that the bureau disclosed that investigators have completed major on-site activities and are now analysing vital operational and technical information gathered from the crash scene.
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In a statement issued by the Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance, Funke Adebayo-Arowoloju, the NSIB said its team documented the accident site, examined damaged rail infrastructure and equipment, reviewed operational procedures and interviewed personnel connected to the train’s operation.
According to the bureau, evidence obtained from witness accounts, operational records, maintenance documents and other relevant sources will undergo detailed examination by specialists as part of efforts to establish the circumstances that led to the derailment.
Director-General of the NSIB, Alex Badeh Jr., expressed condolences to the victims and their families, assuring the public that the investigation would be thorough, independent and guided strictly by evidence.
He said the bureau would follow all available leads and make safety recommendations aimed at addressing identified risks and preventing future occurrences on Nigeria’s railway network.
“The objective is to establish what happened, identify causal and contributing factors, and recommend measures that will enhance the safety of railway operations in Nigeria,” Badeh stated.
The NSIB said it is collaborating closely with the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), the Federal Ministry of Transportation, the Federal Ministry of Health and other relevant federal and state agencies throughout the investigation.
The bureau also acknowledged the support provided by the NRC, the Federal Ministry of Transportation and the Nigerian Air Force, noting that their assistance enabled the swift deployment of investigators and facilitated access to operational facilities and critical information.
Reiterating its mandate, the NSIB stressed that the investigation is focused solely on improving transportation safety and not on assigning blame or determining legal liability.
The agency assured that a final report detailing its findings and safety recommendations would be released upon completion of the investigation, while further updates would be provided as the inquiry progresses.
Meanwhile, the death toll from the derailment has risen to five, while about 40 passengers sustained injuries. Approximately 25 of the injured were reported to have suffered serious traumatic injuries.
The train was carrying a total of 482 people, including 442 passengers, at the time of the accident.
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