The Nigerian Railway Corporation, NRC, has raised serious concern over the growing wave of vandalism targeting its electrical and signalling systems across major railway routes, describing the trend as a direct threat to public safety and national development.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the corporation, Dr. Kayode Opeifa, expressed this concern in a statement released on Saturday in Lagos. The statement, signed by Mr. Callistus Unyimadu, Chief Public Relations Officer of the NRC, emphasized that the recurrent destruction of railway facilities could jeopardize the safety, reliability, and efficiency of train operations nationwide.
Opeifa noted that the disturbing trend had particularly affected installations along the Abuja-Kaduna, Lagos-Ibadan, and Warri-Itakpe corridors—three of Nigeria’s most critical rail routes linking major commercial and administrative centres.
Providing updates on recent developments, the NRC boss confirmed that two suspects had been arrested in Kaduna State in connection with the vandalisation of vital signalling equipment around the Rigasa Train Station area.
According to Opeifa, the suspects—aged 22 and 24, both residents of Rigasa—were apprehended by operatives of the Nigeria Police, Railway Command attached to the Abuja-Kaduna Train Service following credible intelligence.
The arrests were made after railway authorities discovered on Friday, October 10, around 12:30 p.m., that a section of cable wire had been cut and removed from an NRC crane within the station premises.
Acting swiftly on intelligence reports, a patrol team led by ASP Abdullahi Bwajin, Administrative Officer at Rigasa, tracked down and arrested the culprits within hours of the incident.
READ ALSO:NBS: NRC generates over six billion naira from train operations in 2023
During interrogation, the suspects reportedly confessed to the crime, admitting that they had sold the stolen cable to a scrap dealer identified as Musa, also known as “Musa Major,” for ₦90,000. Each suspect received ₦30,000 as his share, while another accomplice—believed to be part of the theft ring—remains at large.
Opeifa stated that the Nigeria Police Railway Command AKTS has intensified efforts to apprehend the remaining suspect and recover the stolen materials.
The NRC commended the security operatives for their swift and professional handling of the case, reaffirming the corporation’s zero-tolerance stance toward vandalism and theft of public infrastructure.
“These railway assets are not just metal and cables; they are lifelines for millions of Nigerians who depend on safe, reliable, and affordable train services,” Dr. Opeifa stated. “Any attack on railway infrastructure is an attack on the nation’s economy.”
He described the vandalisation of railway installations as “economic sabotage”, stressing that such acts would no longer be treated as minor offences. Going forward, he warned, perpetrators and their collaborators would face severe legal consequences under federal laws protecting critical national infrastructure.
Opeifa further explained that the NRC was working closely with the Office of the National Security Adviser, ONSA, the Nigeria Police Force, and other security agencies to strengthen surveillance, patrols, and intelligence sharing along vulnerable rail corridors.
The NRC chief lamented that in recent months, the corporation had recorded several cases of vandalism involving stolen signalling cables, rail clips, and track materials—some of which had led to temporary service disruptions and increased maintenance costs.
“These incidents not only disrupt train schedules but also endanger lives, especially when signalling systems are tampered with,” Opeifa said. “We must all recognize that the railway network is a shared national treasure that supports trade, travel, and job creation.”
He noted that vandalism has far-reaching consequences on economic productivity, as each stolen cable or damaged installation could delay cargo movement, affect passenger safety, and impose heavy financial burdens on government operations.
Dr. Opeifa appealed to residents of communities hosting railway lines and stations to actively collaborate with the NRC and law enforcement agencies to protect the facilities in their areas.
“Security is a collective responsibility,” he emphasized. “We urge traditional rulers, community leaders, and youth groups to take ownership of these assets. When you protect the railway, you are protecting your own source of economic opportunity.”
He reminded the public that the railway system has transformed several communities by improving access to markets, boosting tourism, and creating thousands of direct and indirect jobs. “To sustain these gains,” he said, “we must all stand together against vandals and saboteurs.”
The NRC, according to Opeifa, is currently investing in technology-driven surveillance systems, including CCTV cameras, drones, and real-time monitoring along critical rail corridors. The corporation is also working with the Ministry of Justice to establish special railway courts for the speedy prosecution of offenders.
“We are moving beyond arrests,” he said. “We want convictions that will serve as deterrence to others. The message is clear: vandalising public infrastructure will no longer go unpunished.
Concluding, Dr. Opeifa reaffirmed the NRC’s commitment to sustaining safe, reliable, and modern train services across Nigeria. He assured passengers and stakeholders that despite the challenges, the corporation remains resolute in expanding rail connectivity and improving service quality.
“The railway is central to Nigeria’s economic renaissance,” he said. “It connects people, moves goods, and drives growth. But it must be protected to deliver these benefits.”
He reiterated that every Nigerian has a role to play: “If you see something suspicious, report it immediately. Together, we can secure our railways and ensure that the journey toward progress remains uninterrupted.”
