The Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, NRC, Mr. Kayode Opeifa, has vowed to intensify the fight against railway vandalism across the country, warning that anyone caught sabotaging rail infrastructure will face full prosecution under the law.
Opeifa gave the assurance in Lagos as the Commissioner of Police, Railway Command, Mr. Vungmoh Kwaimoh, paraded two suspects arrested for vandalizing railway tracks along the Agbor–Abraka corridor in Delta State, an act that recently caused the derailment of two coaches on October 1.
He said the NRC, in collaboration with security agencies, has stepped up surveillance and community engagement to protect critical rail infrastructure nationwide.
“We are increasing local participation and consultation with community leaders around Agbor and Abraka,” Opeifa said. “We’ve also shut down the Abraka station since June due to safety concerns and are working with traditional rulers and state governments to improve security along our tracks.”
The NRC boss noted that the vandalized section lies in a remote, uninhabited area, making monitoring difficult. He disclosed that the corporation is exploring the use of technology for early detection of track tampering, while intensifying public enlightenment with support from the National Orientation Agency (NOA) and the Office of the National Security Adviser, ONSA.
“Our materials are either serviceable or unserviceable, but they are not scrap,” Opeifa warned.
“People remove bolts and clips to sell to scrap dealers, and that’s what led to the derailment. Over 300 bolts and four fish plates were taken from the affected section. For every nut you remove, you endanger lives. We will not tolerate it.”
Opeifa also urged metal recycling companies to desist from purchasing railway components, describing such actions as “complicity in economic sabotage.”
Commissioner of Police, Railway Command, Ebute Meta, Mr. Vungmoh Kwaimoh, who paraded the suspects, Mudashiru Muntari, 27, from Kano State, and Bolori Pokori, 39, from Delta State said they were caught by NRC workers while attempting to remove fasteners on the Agbor–Abraka track.
“Railway transport is vital to our socio-economic life. Vandalizing it is economic sabotage,” Kwaimoh declared. “This is a serious matter, not a bailable offence. The Railway CID is already compiling the case for prosecution, and we will ensure justice is served.”
Kwaimoh added that the command has intensified its manhunt for other members of the vandalism network and is strengthening train security nationwide.
“We are increasing the number of police officers on each coach from one to two to ensure passengers and infrastructure are fully protected,” he said.
Also speaking, the President-General of the Nigerian Union of Railway Workers and President of the African Railway Workers Union, Comrade Innocent Luka Ajiji, condemned the recurring incidents of track vandalism and derailments, linking them to inadequate government funding and obsolete equipment.
“These vandals are the reason we’ve been having frequent derailments,” Ajiji said. “Once the bolts and clips that hold the track are removed, any train passing there will derail. Yet, railway workers keep doing their best despite poor conditions.”
He called for full implementation of the 95 percent salary increase approved for railway workers under the Buhari administration, adding that morale and motivation are key to sustaining the system.
“We have not gone on strike despite these challenges. All we ask is that the government appreciate our sacrifices and provide the resources we need to keep the trains moving safely,” Ajiji added.