The Management of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has refuted a report of vandal invasion of a section of the Lagos-Ibadan Railway project published on the internet, by Sahara Reporters via its X-handle (formerly Twitter), reports thegazellenews.com.
According to a statement by the NRC, the said report has been replicated by several other platforms. The report claimed that vandals have invaded a section of the $1.5 billion Lagos-Ibadan Railway Project inaugurated by late President Muhammadu Buhari in 2021, stealing major components.
The Corporation stated that the video circulating was a not a recent event but an event that occured between 7 and 27 August, 2024. The incident did not even occured on the Lagos-Ibadan Railway standard gauge corridor but at old narrow gauge occuring between Kilometre 70, Omi Adio; and Kilometre 170, Erunmu.
The statement said further that 250 E-clips were vandalized at Omi Adio while , Erunmu, 16 short rails and one additional short rail were carted away.
There was also another incident on September 9, 2024. Then, 280 E-clips, including two poles, were stolen at Erunmu.
“These 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.
“While we appreciate the efforts of Sahara Reporters and the other platforms that reposted the viral story to draw attention to the ugly activities of these economic saboteurs whose activities are jeopardizing smooth railway operations across the country, as they continue to vandalise critical national assets, the video on display was not recent and it related to incident which occured on the old narrow gauge of Lagos-Ibadan rail line and not the new Standard Gauge.
“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 statement noted.
The Managing Director of the Corporation , Dr. Kayode Opeifa 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 the vandals on regular basis.
He also lauded the judiciary for the speedy trials and stiff punishments meted out to those whose matters have been disposed of at the courts.
“While applauding the media for the support in their sustained interest against vandalism of railway assets especially its track and rolling stock irons across the country, we urged them to however ensure that the media always cross check its information before misleading the members of the public.
“We urge media outlets to verify their facts before publication, especially when reporting on issues that borders on critical national assets and security. Misrepresentation not only undermines the credibility of such platforms, but also causes undue alarm in the public.
“The Nigerian Railway Corporation remains committed to the protection of all national rail infrastructure—both standard and narrow gauges—and will continue to collaborate with security agencies, local communities and the media to prevent vandalism and prosecute offenders,” the statement concluded.
