The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has alleged the destruction and removal of railway fixed assets along its right-of-way in Ibadan South-West Local Government Area, Oyo State.
In a statement on Tuesday in Lagos, NRC Managing Director, Kayode Opeifa, said the destroyed are worth several million naira.
Opeifa said the incident occurred on Monday, 2 February, and was allegedly carried out by the Ibadan South-West Local Government chairman, Kehinde Amanda.
He alleged the chairman led thugs, individuals dressed in Nigerian Army uniforms, and Amotekun operatives to vandalise NRC property at the Mile One-Ten axis.
“The council chairman claimed to be acting on the instructions of the state governor,” Opeifa said.
He said rails, sleepers, signal poles, billboards and fences belonging to NRC tenants along the corridor were destroyed and carted away.
“The affected area is a clearly defined and statutorily protected railway right-of-way,” he added.
Mr Opeifa said NRC Police Command officers were resisted while attempting to repel the action, forcing their withdrawal from the scene.
Describing the incident as a grave violation, he said the corporation was documenting the matter comprehensively for further action.
“The NRC will pursue appropriate security, administrative and legal measures to safeguard its assets and prevent future encroachments nationwide,” he said.
Mr Opeifa appealed to the Oyo State governor to call the council chairman to order to avert a breakdown of law and order.
He pledged the corporation’s continued commitment to maintaining law and order in spite of the provocation.
Also concerned residents of the Mile One Central/Odo Ona axis of Ibadan have reportedly accused the Chairman of Ibadan South West Local Government Area, Hon. Kehinde Akande, of leading suspected thugs to invade and vandalise properties belonging to the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC).
Residents alleged that the chairman arrived at the scene with a group of armed youths who forcefully pulled down and carted away railway tracks, concrete sleepers, signal poles, count boards and other critical rail infrastructure.
According to an eyewitness, the operation was carried out in broad daylight, throwing the area into confusion as residents watched helplessly.
The reportedly vandalised NRC assets are part of federally owned infrastructure under the supervision of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, as eyewitnesses expressed shock over the alleged involvement of a serving local government chairman.
The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, Dr. Kayode Opeifa, had recently expressed deep concern over the increasing attacks on railway electrical and signalling infrastructure, describing them as Critical National Assets.
He stated that henceforth, the Corporation, in collaboration with security agencies, would treat such offences as economic sabotage with severe legal consequences for perpetrators.
Dr. Opeifa had further appealed to members of the public, particularly residents of communities hosting railway facilities, to support the NRC and security agencies in protecting these assets.
He noted that the railway system has always served as a catalyst for community development and improved livelihoods, and safeguarding it remains a collective responsibility.
Source – NAN
(vitalnewsngr.com)
