……NRC Suspects Wheel Defect, Rules Out Track Vandalism

The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has released its preliminary report on the June 8, 2026 derailment involving the Warri–Itakpe Train Service (WITS), revealing that a possible sudden bogie or wheel defect may have triggered the accident.

The incident occurred at about 4:17pm near the Outer Home signal of the Goodluck Jonathan Railway Station at kilometre 177, Owa-Oyibu, Agbor, Delta State.

According to the NRC, the train had departed Itakpe at 12 noon with 482 people on board, comprising 442 passengers and 40 operational personnel, when the derailment occurred.

Five coaches, one locomotive and a power car were affected, with three coaches and the power car overturning.

The Corporation said emergency response operations were immediately activated with support from the Delta State Government, the Nigeria Police Force, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), local authorities and medical teams.

All passengers were evacuated within two hours of the incident.

However, the accident resulted in four confirmed deaths — three adults and one child — while 64 people sustained various injuries.

The NRC said 28 injured passengers were treated and discharged at the Railway Hospital, Owa-Oyibu, while another 36 were transferred to hospitals in Owa-Oyibu, Owa-Alero and Agbor.

Most of those admitted were discharged within 72 hours, while three people, including an NRC employee who required surgery, remained under specialist medical care. Two of the affected persons subsequently underwent surgical procedures.

The Corporation also clarified that its initial report of five fatalities was later revised to four following verification with the Delta State medical team responsible for the deceased.

Possible wheel defect identified

The NRC said its internal investigation involved site inspections, evidence gathering, examination of operational records and communication data, technical assessments of the locomotive and rolling stock, as well as interviews with train crew, operations and maintenance personnel, witnesses and emergency responders.

The investigation also examined the track infrastructure, turnout arrangements, communication systems and the effectiveness of the emergency response and evacuation operations.

Based on the preliminary findings, the NRC said investigators identified the possible sudden development of a bogie/wheel defect while the train was in motion as a potential primary factor in the derailment.

According to the Corporation, such a defect could have resulted in abnormal wheel-rail interaction, excessive impact loading and loss of running stability.

The investigators also identified the possible manner in which the train’s brakes were applied as a factor that may have contributed to the severity of the accident.

However, the NRC stressed that both issues remain working hypotheses and that the definitive cause of the derailment would only be established after further technical analysis.

No evidence of track vandalism

The Corporation said its inquiry team found that the railway points at the accident location were intact and that there was no evidence of track vandalism.

This finding distinguishes the June 8 incident from two previous accidents involving the same Warri–Itakpe service on November 1 and November 8, 2025, which the NRC said were attributed to track vandalism.

The independent Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has also commenced its statutory investigation into the accident.

The NRC said it was cooperating fully with the NSIB and would be guided by the findings and recommendations contained in its final report.

NRC announces safety measures

Following the preliminary findings, the Corporation recommended comprehensive safety inspections and audits of rolling stock, railway tracks and infrastructure before equipment is returned to service.

It also called for stronger maintenance and condition-monitoring programmes, timely replacement of defective components and improved availability of critical spare parts.

The NRC further recommended a review of operational safety procedures, improved emergency preparedness and rescue capabilities, enhanced staff training and competency assessments, as well as sustainable funding for railway modernisation.

The Corporation also proposed improvements to its insurance and compensation framework to ensure adequate protection for passengers and staff in cases involving medical treatment, disability and fatalities.

WITS service yet to resume

The NRC said the affected track has been fully recovered and restored, while the locomotives involved have also been recovered and are currently undergoing reconditioning.

However, the Corporation said the Warri–Itakpe service would not resume until a detailed safety audit of the track and equipment has been completed.

The NRC expressed condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the incident and apologised for the delay in releasing the preliminary report, explaining that additional time was required to properly verify the casualties and notify the affected families.

The Corporation said it remained committed to implementing recommendations arising from both its internal accident inquiry and the independent NSIB investigation, with the aim of strengthening railway safety and restoring public confidence in train transportation.

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Veteran Yoruba actor Taiwo Hassan, popularly known as Ogogo, has died at 66.

His daughter, Kira Taiwo, confirmed his passing during an Instagram Live session on Sunday.

The news comes days after Kira and her sister, Lima Taiwo, made public appeals on Monday, August 17, 2026, for medical advice for their father, who was battling stage-four cancer.

Kira said doctors had stopped chemotherapy because of his condition, and the family was seeking alternative treatments, including specialised procedures and traditional remedies.

She clarified that the family was not asking for financial donations, but for information on possible treatment options.

The alleged fake National Brands Development and Made in Nigeria Special Project Office had a structure spanning several states and two foreign countries, with an acclaimed national coordinator, zonal directors, state coordinators and representatives in China and the United States,

A check by our correspondent on Saturday found that the office’s website listed Hon. Nwabueze George as its “Executive Director, National Coordinator,” alongside a director of national administration, three zonal directors, 20 state coordinators and representatives for the United States and China.

Recall that the Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, Musa Aliyu, disclosed on Friday that President Bola Tinubu had ordered the immediate arrest of George Nwabueze, identified by the commission as “the promoter” of the alleged fake office.

Tinubu also ordered the immediate suspension of three permanent secretaries — M.S. Danjuma, Nadungu Gagare and Richard P. Pheelangwah — following the discovery of the office, which the ICPC said it had been allocated space within the premises of the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation without presidential authorisation.

The ICPC said the promoter was also found to have operated under several variations of his name, including George Nathan Nwabueze, George Nwabueze, George Buchi Nwabueze, Prince George Buchi Nwabueze and George Nwabueze.

Nwabueze and Zonal directors

The website listed Nwabueze as the “Executive Director, National Coordinator.”

It also listed Dr Bassey B. Unaowo as “Special Assistant to the Permanent Secretary on Political and Economic Affairs, OSGF”; Dr Hajara Njidda Amoni as Director, National Administration; Mr Oladunjoye Musiliua as Zonal Director, South-West; Hafsat Sahabi Dange as Zonal Director, North; and Mrs Ugochi Akudo Nwosu as Zonal Director, South-East.

Made in Nigeria Zonal Directors
Made in Nigeria Zonal Directors. Credit: website
The website also claimed that the project operated under the OSGF. Its framework page described the project as being overseen by the Permanent Secretary, Political and Economic Affairs, in the OSGF.

However, this claimed government connection is significant in light of the ICPC’s finding that the office was operating without presidential authorisation.

20 state coordinators
The website listed the following as state coordinators:

Katsina: Dr Babangida Kabir Ruma
Kaduna: Hon. Abdulhaleem Ishaq Ringim
Delta: Hon. Dr Godwin Adolor
Kebbi: Hussaini Abdullahi, Esq., FSI
Osun: Hon. Olugbemi Adetola Adelowokan
Anambra: Hon. Chiamaka Nnake
Nasarawa: Hon. Osolafia Muhammed, PhD
Plateau: Mrs Salome Audu Bidda
Benue: Hon. Orduen Andrew Ikon
Ondo: Amb. Orioye G. Benedict
Ogun: Hon. Engr. Kehinde Akintonide, FNSE
Sokoto: Hon. Ibrahim Umar Aliyu
Abia: Hon. Mrs Nwosu Chinyere R.
Zamfara: Hon. Ibrahim Bello Marafa
Niger: Haj. Zainab Mohammed
Kano: Hon. Abubakar Ahmad Bichi (Khalifa)
Taraba: Hon. Justin Aondoaseer Tyopuusu
Oyo: Alhaji Bello Kolawole Ghaffar, FCA
Bauchi: Hon. Farouq Siyi
Kogi: Hon. Olorukooba Bidemi

Made in Nigeria state coordinators. Credit: website

Newsthumb check also found indications that some of those listed had previously held public positions or had links to established political, governmental or community structures in their respective states.

Another fake agency! FG suspends three perm secs, orders arrest

Made in Nigeria state coordinators. Credit: website

Made in Nigeria state coordinators. Credit: website
In Taraba, Tyopuusu has been identified in recent reports as a Special Assistant to Governor Agbu Kefas on Digital Economy, while serving as the state coordinator of the Made in Nigeria Special Project.

Made in Nigeria state coordinators. Credit: website

Their inclusion on the website does not, by itself, establish that they were aware that the organisation had allegedly lacked government authorisation.

Efforts made so far to reach the management of the acclaimed agency is abortive as of the time of filing the report as all three phone numbers on its website are switched off. Message sent to the acclaimed national cordinator by our correspondent has not been replied.

Reps in US, China

The website also listed Hon. Emmanuel Enemali Achema as “Country Rep./Coordinator, U.S.A.” and Hon. Ameh Enedugbojo Glory as “Country Rep./Coordinator, China.”

Made in Nigeria country reps. Credit: website
The claimed international structure was presented alongside the state and zonal network as part of the organisation’s purported nationwide and international operations.

The office’s website described its activities as including trade exhibitions, economic forums, promotion of Nigerian products and support for small and medium-sized enterprises, claim ICPC disputed.

The development is the latest in an investigation into purported fictitious government bodies.

The ICPC had previously identified the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council and two other alleged fictitious bodies, the FCT Investment Promotion Agency and the Foreign Investment Promotion Agency and Public-Private Partnership.