NRC ALLEGES OYO LOCAL GOVERNMENT VANDALISED MILLIONS-WORTH OF RAILWAY INFRASTRUCTURE IN IBADAN
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By Aishat Momoh. O.
The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has accused the Ibadan South-West Local Government Council of overseeing the destruction of railway infrastructure worth millions of naira, warning that it will take all necessary security, administrative, and legal measures to protect its assets and prevent future encroachments on railway corridors nationwide.
In a statement on Tuesday, NRC’s Chief Public Relations Officer, Callistus Unyimadu, described the development as “worrisome,” alleging that the council chairman, Kehinde Adeyemi Amada, personally led a group of thugs, individuals dressed in Nigerian Army uniforms, and operatives of the Oyo State Security Network Agency (Amotekun) to vandalise NRC property along the Mile One–Ten axis in Ibadan.
The statement claims that the chairman reportedly asserted he was acting on instructions from the state governor. The vandalism reportedly involved the destruction and removal of rails, sleepers, signal poles, and billboards, with fences belonging to lawful tenants along the corridor also torn down.
“The affected corridor is a clearly defined and statutorily protected railway right-of-way. Any encroachment or interference constitutes a violation of federal law,” the NRC warned, noting that officers of the NRC Police Command were unable to prevent the operation due to forceful resistance.
The corporation described the action as a “grave violation of federal railway assets” and confirmed that comprehensive documentation of the incident has begun.
Dr. Kayode Opeifa, Managing Director of NRC, appealed to Oyo State Governor to intervene and call the local government chairman to order. He warned that failure to act could result in a breakdown of law and order and continued abuse of the fundamental rights of railway workers in the area.
Opeifa, however, assured that the NRC remains committed to maintaining law and order, stating the corporation would continue to act responsibly “even in the face of provocation.”
When contacted, the Oyo State Commissioner for Information, Dotun Oyelade, requested time to review the NRC’s statement before responding. As of press time, no official response had been issued.
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