The Nigerian Railway Corporation has condemned the rising vandalism of its rail facilities and called on state governments to help safeguard railway infrastructure within their territories.
The Managing Director of the NRC, Dr. Kayode Opeifa, made the appeal on Friday in Lagos while parading two suspects arrested for allegedly removing fishplates along the Warri–Itakpe rail corridor.
Opeifa said the suspects, aged 27 and 39, were caught by the Railway Police Command after more than 300 bolts and clips were taken from the tracks. He added that one of the suspects claimed to be a farmer from a nearby community.
He explained that the corporation was changing its security strategy and planned to involve more local communities along the affected route to prevent further vandalism.
“We are going to renew our discussions with the Delta State Government and expand local involvement. There are five communities along that area, and we have only spoken to two. We will now engage all of them,” Opeifa said.
He added that the NRC shut down one of its stations along the corridor in June due to security challenges but was now working with the Rural Electrification Agency to install solar lights around the stations to improve visibility and safety.
“What worries us is people calling these assets scrap. They are not scrap; they are critical national assets,” he said.
Commissioner of Police, Railway Command Headquarters, Vungmoh Kwaimo, described the act as economic sabotage, warning that vandalism of railway property is a serious, non-bailable offence.
“Railway transport is vital for Nigeria’s economy. This kind of vandalism is sabotage. We will ensure justice is done, and there will be no room for pampering criminals,” Kwaimo said.
He confirmed that investigations had begun to trace those buying the stolen materials in Lagos and Agbor, adding that the legal department of the NRC had been directed to ensure quick prosecution.
President General of the Nigerian Union of Railway Workers, Innocent Ajiji, also praised the NRC and police for their response. He said vandalism had been a long-standing problem and one of the main causes of train derailments.
“The removal of vital track components leads to accidents. Despite poor infrastructure, railway workers are still giving their best to keep the trains running,” Ajiji said.
