The Nigerian Railway Corporation has announced the suspension of train operations along the Port Harcourt–Aba route, citing routine maintenance as the reason for the temporary shutdown.
In a statement issued on Friday by its Managing Director, Dr. Kayode Opeifa, the corporation said services on the corridor will remain suspended until Tuesday, September 9, 2025.
“Port Harcourt to Aba train services are suspended for routine maintenance. Operations will resume on the 9th of September, 2025. We regret all inconveniences,” the statement read.
The sudden suspension has raised concerns among passengers who rely heavily on the line, especially traders and low-income travelers moving between the South-East and South-South. Many commuters fear the decision may be linked to deeper operational or safety challenges.
The Port Harcourt–Aba corridor has witnessed increased patronage in recent months, largely due to rising road transport fares and persistent insecurity on highways across the region.
This latest disruption comes in the wake of setbacks that have tested public confidence in the NRC. Only last month, a Kaduna-bound train derailed, injuring passengers and forcing a temporary suspension of services on that corridor.
At the time, Opeifa assured the public that “a full investigation is ongoing in collaboration with the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau and other relevant agencies.”
He also stressed that passengers affected by the derailment had been refunded.