The Nigerian Railway Corporation has corrected earlier reports that Senator Ede Dafinone and former Delta State Secretary to the State Government, Patrick Ukah, were among passengers on the Warri-Itakpe train involved in a recent derailment near Agbor, Delta State.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the NRC, Kayode Opeifa, the corporation said both men were not on board the train when the incident occurred.
According to the NRC, Dafinone and Ukah instead played key roles in coordinating emergency response efforts after the accident.
“Both distinguished individuals greatly assisted in mobilising first responders and emergency personnel who participated in rescue operations following the incident,” the statement said.
The corporation acknowledged that an earlier statement had mistakenly listed the senator and former SSG among passengers on the train and expressed regret over the error.
“The NRC regrets the embarrassment caused by the mistake and sincerely appreciates their selfless and prompt intervention in support of the rescue efforts,” Opeifa stated.
The clarification comes days after the Federal Government confirmed that four people lost their lives while 24 others sustained injuries in the train accident.
The Ministry of Transportation had earlier disclosed that 482 people, including passengers, crew members, security personnel and service providers, were on board the train at the time of the incident.
“A total of 442 passengers were booked on the train, while 40 crew members, security personnel and third-party service providers were also on board, bringing the total number of persons on the train to 482,” the ministry said.
The government noted that emergency responders, including officials of the Delta State Government, the National Emergency Management Agency, the Federal Road Safety Corps, the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and other agencies, were mobilised immediately after the accident.
“Rescue and evacuation operations were activated without delay, and all injured passengers were taken to medical facilities in Agbor for treatment,” the statement added.
Meanwhile, Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, has sympathised with the families of those who died in the accident and directed relevant state agencies to support rescue and medical response efforts.
The governor described the incident as tragic and assured survivors receiving treatment of the state’s continued support.
