The Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) has retrieved critical evidence as it deepens its investigation into the train derailment that occurred along the Warri-Itakpe rail corridor on Monday, June 8, 2026.
The Bureau said significant progress has been made in the ongoing probe, with investigators completing crucial on-site activities, including documentation of the accident scene, examination of affected rail infrastructure and equipment, collection of operational records, and interviews with personnel connected to the train operation.
The update was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Director of Public Affairs and Family Assistance of the NSIB, Mrs Funke Adebayo-Arowojobe.
According to the statement, the Director-General of the Bureau, Captain Alex Badeh Jr., personally led the investigation team to the accident site shortly after notification of the incident.
He was accompanied by the Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Mr Kayode Opeifa, and the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Transportation, Engr. Funsho Adebiyi, in what the Bureau described as a coordinated response involving key transportation stakeholders and government authorities.
The NSIB disclosed that evidence gathered from witness interviews, operational records, maintenance documents and other investigative sources would undergo detailed analysis by its specialists as efforts continue to establish the circumstances surrounding the derailment.
Speaking at the scene, Badeh Jr. extended condolences to the victims and their families, assuring Nigerians that the investigation would be thorough, objective and evidence-driven.
“Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with the families who have lost loved ones, those who sustained injuries, and every passenger affected by this tragic occurrence.
“We understand the pain and uncertainty such an event brings, and we want the public to be assured that the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau has commenced a thorough and evidence-based investigation. We will follow the facts wherever they lead and generate actionable safety recommendations aimed at systematically addressing identified risks and preventing a recurrence on our railway network,” he said.
The Director-General also met with passengers affected by the accident and visited injured victims receiving treatment at hospitals and primary healthcare centres, where he offered words of comfort and reassurance.
The Bureau said it is collaborating closely with the Nigerian Railway Corporation, the Federal Ministry of Transportation, the Federal Ministry of Health and other relevant federal and state agencies throughout the investigation.
NSIB further acknowledged the support received from the NRC, the Federal Ministry of Transportation and the Nigerian Air Force, noting that their assistance facilitated the swift mobilisation of resources and access to critical operational facilities and information.
Reiterating the Bureau’s mandate, Badeh Jr. stressed that the investigation is strictly safety-focused and not intended to apportion blame or determine civil or criminal liability.
According to him, the objective is to establish the facts surrounding the occurrence, identify causal and contributory factors, and recommend measures that will enhance railway safety and prevent future accidents.
The Bureau added that its findings and safety recommendations would be made public upon completion of the investigation, while further updates would be provided as more information becomes available.
