The Niger Delta Civil Society Forum has called on President Bola Tinubu to urgently extend the Warri–Itakpe–Ujevwu rail corridor to Abuja, saying the expansion would improve transportation, strengthen trade, and reduce pressure on Nigeria’s overstretched road network.

The group, formally registered as the Organisation for Human and Peoples Rights Protection and Humanitarian, made the appeal in a statement issued on Tuesday and signed by its coordinator, Ezekiel Kagbala.

According to the forum, extending the rail line to the Federal Capital Territory would significantly enhance mobility and promote stronger economic integration between the Niger Delta and northern Nigeria.

The appeal followed reports of severe overcrowding on the Warri–Itakpe–Ujevwu train service on Saturday, April 25, 2026, where passengers were allegedly packed into unsafe conditions during the journey.

Eyewitnesses said commuters were forced to stand in crowded aisles, pressed against toilet entrances, and squeezed into coaches beyond their intended capacity, raising fears of a possible stampede.

Describing the incident as more than an isolated occurrence, the NCSF said the situation reflects deeper structural problems within Nigeria’s rail system.

“This is not an isolated case but a reflection of systemic failure,” the statement noted.

The forum blamed the recurring challenges on years of underinvestment, poor operational management, and the absence of a coordinated national rail development strategy.

It also criticised the Nigerian Railway Corporation, saying the agency has struggled to cope with increasing passenger demand due to limited rolling stock, ageing infrastructure, and an inefficient ticketing process vulnerable to abuse and racketeering.

According to the group, the Warri–Itakpe rail route has become increasingly important for many Nigerians as insecurity and rising transportation costs continue to affect road travel between the northern and southern parts of the country.

However, it said passengers now face problems including overbooking, poor service delivery, and ticket irregularities instead of the expected relief.

The forum described reports of more than 200 passengers being squeezed into coaches designed for fewer than 100 people as both dangerous and unacceptable.

To address the situation, the group proposed several immediate measures, including the purchase of additional coaches and locomotives, improved maintenance of rail infrastructure nationwide, and the introduction of a transparent digital ticketing system.

It also called for stronger oversight to enforce passenger limits and reduce operational malpractice.

Beyond passenger services, the NCSF identified the lack of dedicated freight trains as another major weakness in the country’s rail system.

According to the forum, combining passenger transport with cargo movement has increased congestion and created additional safety concerns.

The group urged the Federal Government to establish freight-specific rail services for transporting agricultural produce and commercial goods between the North and South.

It said such a system would reduce pressure on passenger coaches, lower transportation costs, and improve economic productivity across regions.

Highlighting the importance of public transportation, the forum stressed that rail services should guarantee the safety and dignity of citizens.

It described the current challenges on the Warri–Itakpe route as a warning sign that Nigeria’s rail sector urgently needs comprehensive reforms.

“Nigeria must undertake a comprehensive overhaul of its rail system—one that prioritises capacity, safety, transparency, and long-term planning,” the statement added.