Delta senator, ex-SSG not on crashed Warri train, says NRC

The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has issued a clarification regarding the presence of Senator Ede Dafinone and former Secretary to the Delta State Government, Patrick Ukah, on the Warri-Itakpe Train Service that recently experienced an accident near Agbor. Contrary to an earlier statement, the NRC confirmed that neither individual was a passenger on the ill-fated train.

Instead, the NRC stated that both Dafinone and Ukah played a crucial role in supporting the emergency response efforts. "Both distinguished individuals rather greatly assisted in the mobilisation of first responders and other emergency personnel who participated in the rescue operations following the incident," the corporation said in a statement signed by its Managing Director and CEO, Kayode Opeifa.

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Both distinguished individuals rather greatly assisted in the mobilisation of first responders and other emergency personnel who participated in the rescue operations following the incident.

The NRC expressed regret for the initial error and any embarrassment it may have caused. "The NRC regrets the embarrassment the error had caused these eminent Nigerians and sincerely appreciates their selfless and swift intervention and support during the rescue efforts," the statement read. The clarification comes after the federal government confirmed that the accident resulted in four fatalities and left 24 passengers injured.

According to details released by the NRC, a total of 482 individuals, including 442 passengers and 40 crew members, were on board the train. The rescue and evacuation operations, which involved various government agencies and emergency responders, were completed by 6:30 p.m. Injured passengers were transported to medical facilities in Agbor for treatment. Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State had previously expressed condolences to the victims' families and directed state officials to coordinate rescue efforts.

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The NRC regrets the embarrassment the error had caused these eminent Nigerians and sincerely appreciates their selfless and swift intervention and support during the rescue efforts.