Lagos: The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has assured the public that the rail transport on the Warri-Itakpe (WITS) corridor is safe and operational. This statement comes amid circulating social media warnings urging the public to avoid train travel along this route.

According to News Agency of Nigeria, the NRC’s Ag. Deputy Director of Public Relations, Mr. Callistus Unyimadu, addressed these concerns in a statement. He clarified that a social media message, which included a video showing removed rail clips, falsely claimed that rail transport was unsafe and advised passengers to cancel their travel plans. Unyimadu asserted that this information is misleading and unfounded.

He explained that the incident involving the temporary removal of some rail clips at a specific location on the corridor was detected during routine inspections. The NRC maintenance team promptly rectified the issue. Unyimadu emphasized that all necessary safety and operational protocols were followed to ensure no threat was posed to passengers or the integrity of train operations.

Unyimadu further stated that the Warri-Itakpe train had successfully passed through the affected section without incident, confirming the route’s safety. He reiterated the NRC’s commitment to maintaining the highest safety and security standards in all operations, noting that NRC tracks and rolling stock are under constant surveillance and maintenance. The NRC personnel are fully equipped to address any issues in real-time.

He urged the public to disregard the viral message and to continue using train services with confidence. Unyimadu condemned any attempts to spread fear or discourage rail transport usage, stating that such actions undermine progress in the sector. He assured that train services on the Warri-Itakpe corridor and other NRC corridors remain safe, reliable, and fully operational. For official updates and travel advisories, he advised passengers to rely only on verified NRC communication channels.