Demand for Compensation from Railway Corporation Grows over Breakdown of Agbor-Itakpe Train
The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) is grappling with a wave of public outrage and a burgeoning mass protest following the harrowing experience of passengers aboard the Agbor-Itakpe train that broke down earlier this week.
Hundreds of affected passengers, joined by concerned citizens and civil society groups, have taken to the streets demanding immediate and adequate compensation for the trauma, injuries, and losses incurred during the incident.
The protest, which began peacefully in Abuja and has since spread to other major cities including Lagos and Benin City, saw demonstrators carrying placards with messages such as “NRC: Account for Our Safety,” “Compensate the Victims Now,” and “Never Again!” The air is thick with anger and frustration as protesters recount tales of fear, uncertainty, and alleged negligence that led to the derailment.
Eyewitness accounts from passengers paint a grim picture of the incident. Many describe a sudden violent shaking followed by the train violently leaving the tracks. Passengers were reportedly left stranded for hours in difficult conditions, with limited communication and inadequate initial response. Several individuals sustained injuries, ranging from minor cuts and bruises to more serious fractures, further fueling the public’s anger.
“We entrusted our lives to the NRC, and they failed us,” lamented Mrs. Aisha Bello, a businesswoman who was on the train. “The psychological trauma alone is immense. We demand not just apologies, but tangible compensation for our suffering and losses.”
The protesters are specifically calling on the NRC to:
Provide immediate and comprehensive medical care for all injured passengers.
Offer substantial financial compensation for physical injuries, emotional distress, and loss of belongings.
Conduct a thorough and transparent investigation into the cause of the derailment and make the findings public.
Implement stringent safety measures and upgrade railway infrastructure to prevent future occurrences.
Hold accountable any individuals or entities found to be negligent in the incident.
Several civil society organizations have thrown their weight behind the protesting passengers, vowing to continue advocating for their rights until their demands are met. Legal experts have also weighed in, suggesting that the affected passengers may have grounds for a class-action lawsuit against the NRC if their demands for compensation are not adequately addressed.
The NRC, through its spokesperson Mr. Fidet Okhiria, issued a statement expressing regret over the incident and assuring the public that an investigation is underway. However, the statement fell short of explicitly addressing the demands for compensation, further inflaming the situation.
“While we sympathize with the affected passengers, the NRC needs to understand that mere words are not enough,” stated Mr. Kolawole Adebayo, a leading activist at the protest in Lagos. “We need concrete action and a clear commitment to compensating those who have suffered due to this unfortunate and potentially preventable incident.”
The mass protest is a significant challenge for the NRC, which has been striving to modernize Nigeria’s railway system. The incident and the subsequent public outcry could potentially erode public trust in rail travel if not handled swiftly and justly.
As the protests continue to gain momentum, the Nigerian government is facing increasing pressure to intervene and ensure that the NRC takes responsibility for the Agbor-Itakpe train derailment and adequately compensates the affected passengers. The unfolding events serve as a stark reminder of the critical need for safety and accountability in Nigeria’s public transportation sector.
