This was contained in a statement issued in Warri, Delta State, and signed by its Coordinator, Comrade Ezekiel Kagbala, copies of which were made available to journalists in Warri on Thursday.
The group stated that "the expansion of the rail corridor to the Federal Capital Territory would significantly enhance mobility, boost trade, and ease the burden on existing transport systems across the country".
The Forum’s appeal follows a chaotic incident on Saturday, April 25, 2026, during which passengers on the Warri–Itakpe–Ujevwu train service were reportedly subjected to severe overcrowding, raising fears of a potential stampede.
Eyewitness accounts revealed that passengers crammed into aisles, pressed against toilet doors, and forced to stand in suffocating conditions throughout that journey.
“This is not an isolated case but a reflection of systemic failure,” the NCSF statement read in part, blaming the situation on what it called chronic underinvestment, weak operational control, and the absence of a coherent national rail strategy.
The group criticised the Nigerian Railway Corporation for struggling to meet rising demand with limited rolling stock, ageing infrastructure, and a ticketing system allegedly riddled with inefficiencies and abuse.
According to the NCSF, "the Warri–Itakpe corridor has become a critical lifeline for Nigerians, particularly as road travel between the North and South grows increasingly unsafe and expensive".
"However, instead of offering relief, passengers are now confronted with overbooking, ticket racketeering, and poor service delivery", it said.
The NCSF noted with concern that reports indicating that more than 200 passengers were squeezed into a single coach designed for fewer than 100 were “alarming and a clear safety hazard".
The Forum outlined key measures for immediate government action, including expansion of rolling stock through the procurement of additional coaches and locomotives; maintenance of rail tracks nationwide; introduction of a transparent and efficient digital ticketing system; and strengthening of operational oversight to enforce passenger limits and curb malpractice.
Highlighting a major gap in Nigeria’s transport network, the group emphasized the need for a direct rail connection between Warri and Abuja noting that such a link would not only improve passenger movement but also enhance economic integration between the Niger Delta and the nation’s capital.
"The proposed extension would stimulate regional development, create jobs, and reduce dependence on the country’s overstretched road infrastructure", the group posited.
It further identified "the lack of dedicated cargo trains" as a major structural challenge observing that "the mixing of passengers with goods has worsened congestion and compromised safety".
NCSF called on the Federal Government to "develop freight-specific rail services" to facilitate the movement of agricultural produce and commercial goods from the North to the South, explaining that such a system would decongest passenger coaches, lower transportation costs, and boost economic productivity.
The group stressed that public transportation is a fundamental service that should uphold the dignity and safety of citizens, maintaining that "Warri–Itakpe line is a wake-up call”.
It added that “Nigeria must undertake a comprehensive overhaul of its rail system—one that prioritises capacity, safety, transparency, and long-term planning.”
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