Passengers on the Warri-Itakpe Train Service experienced an unexpected delay on Tuesday, February 18, 2025, after a technical glitch left them stranded overnight at the Ajaokuta Train Station. In response, the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has announced a full refund of ticket fares to all affected passengers.
The glitch, which occurred around 6:00 pm, disrupted the journey and forced passengers to wait until the following morning to continue their trip. In a statement shared on Thursday via its official X (formerly Twitter) account, NRC apologized for the inconvenience and reassured passengers of its commitment to providing safe and comfortable transportation.
“We sincerely apologize for the unforeseen glitch and the inconvenience caused to our esteemed passengers. As a gesture of goodwill, we are offering a 100% refund of ticket fares to all affected passengers,” said Yakub Mahmood, NRC’s Deputy Director of Public Relations.
According to the NRC website, ticket prices for the Warri-Itakpe route range from ₦9,500 for Business Class to ₦5,000 for Regular Class, depending on the travel option chosen. Passengers traveling shorter distances on routes like Warri-Uromi or Uromi-Itakpe pay between ₦2,500 and ₦5,200. The refund process is being handled by ticket concessionaires, who have been directed to inform passengers of how to claim their reimbursement.
The NRC expressed gratitude to the Kogi State Government for providing security at the site of the incident, ensuring that passengers remained safe throughout the delay. The corporation also pledged to improve its systems to prevent similar issues in the future.
This latest disruption follows a derailment on the same Warri-Itakpe corridor in July 2024 near Abraka in Delta State. While no lives were lost in that incident, it led to a temporary suspension of train services on the route.
The Warri-Itakpe glitch is one of several operational challenges faced by Nigeria’s railway system in recent years. From derailments and locomotive failures to washouts and collisions, these incidents underscore the urgent need for improved safety measures and better maintenance of railway infrastructure across the country.
Despite these challenges, NRC remains committed to enhancing its services and ensuring passenger safety. For now, affected travelers can look forward to receiving their refunds as a small consolation for their disrupted journey.
