In a statement issued on Monday by its Managing Director, Dr. Kayode Opeifa, the NRC expressed regret over the incident and announced that passengers affected would be refunded or offered replacement rides.
The disruption occurred on Wednesday, September 3, 2025, when the locomotive broke down at Imo River while en route from Aba to Port Harcourt.
“Despite the best efforts of our engineers to revive the locomotive, the fault persisted. Consequently, an alternative engine, Loco 2306, was quickly deployed to rescue the stranded train. While some passengers chose to find alternative transport, others were safely conveyed back,” the NRC explained.
The breakdown left commuters stranded, with viral social media videos showing some passengers trekking long distances and even crossing a stream in search of alternative means of travel.
According to the NRC, the faulty train has been moved to Port Harcourt for full repairs to ensure safety and reliability before returning to service.
Affected passengers have been advised to visit NRC stations in Port Harcourt or Aba with proof of ticket purchase to claim refunds or replacement rides.
Reassuring the public, the corporation emphasized its commitment to delivering safer and more reliable services:
“The present NRC management remains committed to transforming the corporation under the Renewed Hope Agenda, ensuring safer, more reliable, and customer-friendly rail services across the country.”
Normal train operations on the Port Harcourt–Aba corridor are scheduled to resume on Tuesday, September 9, 2025.
