The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has given fresh assurances to passengers affected by the recent disruption of its Port Harcourt–Aba train service, pledging full refunds and improved reliability going forward.
The incident occurred on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, when the train broke down at Imo River while heading to Port Harcourt. Passengers were left stranded, with some seen in viral videos trekking long distances and wading across a stream in search of alternative transport. Despite efforts by NRC engineers to fix the fault on-site, the locomotive could not be revived. An alternative engine, Loco 2306, was later deployed to evacuate the train, with some passengers conveyed back to safety while others chose different routes to their destinations.
In a statement issued on Monday, NRC Managing Director, Dr. Kayode Opeifa, apologized for the inconvenience and confirmed that passengers who present proof of ticket purchase at NRC stations in Port Harcourt or Aba would receive either refunds or replacement tickets. He added that the faulty locomotive had since been returned to Port Harcourt for comprehensive repairs.
Reiterating the corporation’s commitment to safer and more reliable services under the Renewed Hope Agenda, Opeifa said the NRC is determined to restore public confidence in rail transportation across the country. He stressed that passenger welfare remains the agency’s top priority.
Normal train operations on the Port Harcourt–Aba corridor are expected to resume on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, following the completion of the ongoing maintenance work.
