Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, has expressed grief over the train derailment in Agbor, Ika South Local Government Area, which claimed four lives and left several passengers injured.
Oborevwori described the incident as tragic and heartbreaking, saying the loss of lives was a painful blow to the affected families and the state.
The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) had earlier confirmed that its Warri–Itakpe Train Service has derailed, with four coaches capsizing.
The Managing Director of NRC, Dr Kayode Opeifa, said in a statement in Lagos on Monday evening that NRC would provide updates on the accident as more details would emerge.
Opeifa said that emergency response teams had been deployed to the scene to manage the situation and assist passengers.
“The corporation is closely monitoring developments and will provide a comprehensive update as more details emerge on the cause and extent of the derailment,” he said.
But, in a statement issued later on Monday by his Chief Press Secretary, Festus Ahon, the governor of Delta state sympathised with the families of the deceased and wished the injured a speedy recovery.
He said the state government had immediately activated emergency response measures to support victims and coordinate rescue efforts.
The statement read: “The governor directed the Commissioner for Special Duties, alongside the chairmen of Ika South and Ika North-East Local Government Areas, to proceed to the scene and supervise rescue operations.”
Oborevwori also commended security agencies for their swift intervention, noting that the Commissioner of Police personally visited the scene and deployed officers to maintain order and safeguard passengers’ belongings.
The statement disclosed that injured passengers were evacuated to nearby hospitals for treatment, while those who escaped unhurt were transported to town.
The bodies of the deceased were deposited in a mortuary.
To facilitate evacuation, buses were deployed to convey survivors and injured victims from the accident scene.
Providing an update, the Chairman of Ika North-East Local Government Area, Monday Odigwe, said 35 injured passengers were receiving treatment in three hospitals.
Odigwe said 13 victims were admitted at Central Hospital, Agbor, 12 were being treated at General Hospital, Owa-Oyibu, while another 10 were receiving care at General Hospital, Owa-Alero.
He added that arrangements were underway to remove the affected train from the scene on Tuesday.
Oborevwori prayed for the repose of the souls of the deceased and asked God to grant their families the strength to bear the loss.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the welfare and safety of residents, assuring that the government would continue to monitor the situation and provide necessary support to those affected.
