Assets Vandalisation ln Ibadan Unsettles Railway Authorities

Authorities of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has raised alarm over what it described as the destruction of its rail assets worth several millions of naira along its right-of-way in Ibadan South-West Local Government Area of Oyo State.

NRC’s Chief Public Relations Officer, Callistus Unyimadu, NRC said it received a disturbing report on the incident, which allegedly occurred on Monday, February 2, 2026, at the Mile One–Ten axis of Ibadan.

According to Unyimadu, the destruction and removal of the railway’s fixed assets were allegedly carried out under the leadership of the Chairman of Ibadan South-West Local Government Council, Kehinde Adeyemi Amanda.

“The Chairman was reportedly present and led a group made up of thugs, individuals dressed in Nigerian Army uniforms, and operatives of Amotekun to vandalise NRC properties,” the PRO said.

He added that the council chairman allegedly claimed to be acting on the directive of the state governor.

Unyimadu disclosed that several NRC assets were affected during the operation, including rail tracks, sleepers, signal poles, billboards and fences belonging to NRC tenants along the corridor. He stressed that the affected corridor is a clearly defined and statutorily protected railway right-of-way.

The NRC spokesperson stated that attempts by the NRC Police Command to prevent the vandalisation were resisted, forcing the officers to withdraw from the scene.

Describing the incident as a grave violation of federal railway assets, Unyimadu said the Corporation was documenting the matter in detail and would pursue appropriate security, administrative and legal actions to protect its assets and forestall future encroachments on railway right-of-way across the country.

He also quoted the NRC Managing Director, Dr Kayode Opeifa, as appealing to the Governor of Oyo State to urgently call the Ibadan South-West Local Government chairman to order.

“The Managing Director warned that the situation, if unchecked, could lead to a breakdown of law and order and the continued abuse of the fundamental rights of railway workers,” Unyimadu said.

He added that despite the provocation, the NRC management has pledged to continue to maintain law and order while taking lawful steps to safeguard railway infrastructure nationwide.

MIKE OCHONMA

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