Passengers Trek 3 Hours After Warri-Itakpe Train Breaks Down in Kogi Forest
A journey meant to offer comfort and safety turned into a grueling experience on Tuesday after a Warri-Itakpe train broke down in a remote forest area of Kogi State, forcing passengers to trek for over three hours to safety.
Among those affected was activist and public commentator, Kola Edokpayi, who shared a video detailing the ordeal. Edokpayi revealed he had opted for rail travel from Agbor to Itakpe after failing to secure a flight to Abuja. However, the trip was abruptly disrupted when the train reportedly developed a technical fault in a stretch of dense forest lacking mobile network coverage.
Describing the area as an “evil forest,” Edokpayi said the location was notorious for the presence of armed herders and cattle. “We became apprehensive,” he narrated, “so we decided to start trekking.”
Passengers embarked on what he described as an “endurance trek,” hoping to reach the nearest station or town on foot. “We’ve been trekking for more than three hours, and we’re still on the move,” he said in the video.
In a surprising turn, Edokpayi commended the Fulani herders they encountered during the journey, saying they were unexpectedly friendly and provided assistance. “They guided us and showed us kindness throughout the walk,” he noted.
He called on the federal government to prioritize the maintenance of railway infrastructure and ensure passenger safety. “Flights are cancelled without warning, roads are unsafe, and now trains are breaking down in forests. May God continue to help us in this country,” he said.
The incident has rekindled memories of the March 2022 Abuja-Kaduna train attack in which terrorists detonated explosives on the tracks, opened fire on passengers, and abducted over 60 individuals. The tragedy led to widespread criticism of the government’s security measures and resulted in months of trauma for the victims’ families.
With this latest breakdown, concerns continue to grow over the safety and reliability of Nigeria’s rail transport system.
