No vandalism on $1.5bn Lagos-Ibadan train – NRC

The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has clarified that there was no recent vandalisation of tracks of the $1.5bn Lagos-Ibadan standard gauge. The NRC issued the clarification following an online report claiming that vandals invaded a section of the 156km standard gauge track inaugurated in 2021 by former President Muhammadu Buhari. Callistus Unyimadu, Chief Public Relations […]

The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has clarified that there was no recent vandalisation of tracks of the $1.5bn Lagos-Ibadan standard gauge.

The NRC issued the clarification following an online report claiming that vandals invaded a section of the 156km standard gauge track inaugurated in 2021 by former President Muhammadu Buhari.

Callistus Unyimadu, Chief Public Relations Officer in a statement clarified that a trending video was not recent and did not occur on the Lagos-Ibadan Standard Gauge corridor as erroneously indicated.

It explained that the incident took place between 7th and 27th of August 2024, along the old narrow gauge line between Km 170 (Omi-Adio) and Km 240 (Erunmu), in the Oyo State.

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According to NRC internal communication dated 7th August 2024, the vandalised section involves the narrow gauge line laid on concrete sleepers.

Documented records showed that these acts, were recorded twice in August, (between August 7th and 27th, 2024), at Km 218 (Erunmu, Ibadan), where 250 E-clips were vandalized, and at Km 221 (Erunmu, Ibadan), where 16 short rails and one additional short rail were carted away.

Also on September 9, 2004 another 280 E-clips, including two poles, were stolen at Km 219 (Erunmu, Ibadan).

The NRC stated that the incidents triggered immediate intervention by the Corporation through community engagement, involving the village head of Erunmu, the vigilante group, and the police.

“Sensitisation campaigns were also organised at Agodi Gate, targeting scrap metal dealers to curb the purchase of stolen railway materials which are critical national assets.

“Following these actions, several suspects were arrested by the Oyo State Police CID and handed over to the Railway Police Command in Lagos, for further interrogation and prosecution.

Since then, no further incident of vandalism has been reported along that axis,” the statement added.

The NRC however warned all those who have “remained recalcitrant to refrain from vandalizing the train tracks or risk the stiff prosecution as economic saboteurs if caught.”

The management also called on all their collaborators, whether smelting companies or foundries or anyone serving as receivers of these stolen items that they would be regarded as economic saboteurs and their companies treated as saboteurs if caught.

The Managing Director of the corporation, Dr. Kayode Opeifa in the statement also applauded the efforts of the Railway Command of the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigeria Security  and Civil Defence Corps across the country, who have continued to apprehend these vandals daily, even as he lauded the judiciary for the speedy trials and stiff punishments meted out to those whose matters have been disposed of at the courts. We appeal for continued support.