The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has temporarily suspended operations on the Warri–Itakpe Train Service (WITS), citing technical recommendations from its engineers and the need to conduct critical operational assessments.
In a statement issued by the corporation said the suspension was necessary to ensure the continued safety, reliability and efficiency of train services along the corridor.
“The temporary suspension has become necessary to enable the Corporation to carry out critical operational assessments aimed at ensuring continued safety, reliability, and improved service delivery on the corridor,” the NRC said.
The corporation explained that the decision was taken following “operational exigencies and technical advice” from its engineering team.
The suspension comes at a time when many Nigerians are preparing to travel for the Eid-el-Kabir (Sallah) celebrations, raising concerns among passengers who rely on the route for intercity transportation.
The NRC apologised for the disruption and assured travellers that efforts were underway to address the identified issues as quickly as possible.
“The NRC regrets the inconvenience this development may cause passengers and other stakeholders, and assures the public that efforts are currently ongoing to resolve the issues within the shortest possible time,” the statement added.
According to the corporation, passengers and intending travellers will be informed of the date for the resumption of services before the end of the week.
“Passengers and intending travelers will be duly informed before the end of the week on the date for the resumption of normal train operations,” it said.
The announcement comes shortly after the Federal Government unveiled a 50 per cent reduction in train fares for the Sallah period, a measure aimed at easing transportation costs for Nigerians travelling during the festive season.
The fare reduction was disclosed in a statement by the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Transportation, Funsho Adebiyi, who said the initiative forms part of the government’s efforts to support citizens amid rising travel expenses.
The NRC reiterated its commitment to providing safe, efficient and customer-friendly rail services across the country.
