The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has clarified that Senator Ede Dafinone, representing Delta Central Senatorial District, and former Secretary to the Delta State Government, Patrick Ukah, were not passengers on the Warri-Itakpe Train Service involved in the recent accident near Agbor.
The clarification was contained in a statement signed by the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the NRC, Kayode Opeifa and obtained from the Corporation’s X handle on Wednesday.
It followed an earlier statement that had wrongly suggested that both individuals were on board the affected train.
The NRC said the duo instead assisted in supporting emergency response efforts at the scene of the incident.
“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 statement read.
The corporation added that it regretted the earlier error and any embarrassment 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,” it said.
The clarification comes after the federal government confirmed that four persons died and 24 others sustained injuries in the accident.
According to a statement issued by the NRC on Tuesday through the Federal Ministry of Transportation and signed by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Funsho Adebiyi, “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 statement also said, “Rescue and evacuation operations were immediately activated with the support of the Delta State Government, NEMA, FRSC, the Police, Civil Defence, local authorities, security agencies, and other emergency responders, and were completed by 6:30 p.m. Injured passengers were evacuated to medical facilities in Agbor for treatment.”
It further noted that “Other notable individuals on board included the Senator representing Delta Central Senatorial District, Senator Ede Dafinone, and former Delta State Secretary to the State Government, Hon. Patrick Ukah, among others.”
The latest statement clarified Dafinone and Ukah’s involvement.
Following the accident, Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori expressed condolences to the families of the victims and directed state officials to coordinate rescue efforts at the scene.
The governor described the incident as tragic and assured that the state government would continue to support survivors receiving treatment in medical facilities.
The PUNCH