The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has expressed deep concern over the growing wave of vandalism targeting its infrastructure across the country, following two separate incidents reported on Monday.
Managing Director of the NRC, Dr. Kayode Opeifa, described the acts as deliberate attempts to sabotage the nation’s rail system. His remarks were conveyed in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Deputy Public Relations Officer of the NRC's Enugu District, Dr. Onyedikachi Onovo.
One of the attacks occurred along the Warri-Itakpe rail line, where suspected vandals removed critical components of the tracks near Agbarho community in Ughelli North Local Government Area, Delta State. A tip-off from the local vigilante group prompted swift action by NRC officials, averting a potential service disruption.
Upon inspection, railway engineers discovered that hold-down bolts and clips had been stolen at the Km 250 Agbarho-Okpara section. Emergency repairs were carried out promptly, although train WITS 01 experienced a 40-minute departure delay.
In a separate incident in Enugu State, vandals targeted Bridge No. 24 at Km 284 in the Oghaho Section, Nkanu East Local Government Area. Two spans of the bridge were reportedly cut into pieces using industrial gas cutters. The perpetrators fled before the arrival of NRC engineers and Railway Police from Enugu. Recovery efforts are ongoing.
Authorities described the attack site as remote and difficult to access, citing insecurity and displacement of local communities as compounding factors.
Dr. Opeifa commended the vigilance of the Agbarho Community Vigilante Group and urged other communities to take similar ownership of railway assets within their areas.
“Our railway infrastructure is a national asset. Its protection is not solely the government’s responsibility—it is a collective duty,” he stated.
The NRC said investigations into the incidents are ongoing and called for increased security presence along vulnerable sections of the network.
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