The Senate has resolved to launch a full-scale investigation into railway projects executed under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, following repeated derailments, vandalism, and mechanical failures on the Itakpe–Warri rail line.

The decision followed a motion by Senator Ede Dafinone (Delta Central), who disclosed that the Itakpe–Warri corridor, completed under the previous administration, has recorded at least ten derailments and several service disruptions between 2023 and 2025.

The Senate subsequently constituted an ad-hoc committee to carry out a comprehensive probe and submit its findings within six weeks.

Dafinone expressed concern that a project commissioned with high national expectations had become a source of public anxiety, citing frequent accidents and interruptions that endanger passengers and undermine public confidence in rail transport.

He urged the Ministry of Transportation and the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) to immediately conduct an independent technical assessment of the line to identify the causes of the failures and recommend urgent corrective measures. He also advised the Senate Committee on Land Transport to conduct an on-site inspection, particularly around the Agbor axis in Delta State, and submit a technical and safety report.

Dafinone further called for the creation of a National Rail Safety and Standards Unit to conduct periodic safety audits and enforce compliance with international best practices. He also advocated accelerating the extension of the line to Abuja to improve passenger flow and strengthen the rail network.

Supporting the motion, Senator Abdul Ningi (Bauchi Central) described the situation as a national embarrassment, noting that huge loans were obtained to fund the projects yet the infrastructure had begun failing shortly after completion.

Senator Patrick Ndubueze (Imo North) urged an overhaul of the NRC, arguing that the corporation had failed to fulfill its mandate, while Senator Solomon Adeola (Ogun West) stressed the need to uncover how much was borrowed, how much was spent, and whether due process was followed.

Senator Babangida Hussaini (Jigawa North-West) blamed poor project conception and weak maintenance culture, noting that the same contractors delivered higher-quality railway systems in other African countries. He added that the failures have forced more freight onto highways, accelerating road deterioration.

In his remarks, Senate President Godswill Akpabio commended lawmakers for the debate, describing the motion as necessary to safeguard lives and national investment. He said the Senate will ensure transparency and accountability in the investigation.

“This is not a partisan issue. We must determine what went wrong — from loan acquisition to project execution and maintenance. Nigerians deserve answers,” he said.