By Ola ‘Kiya, Reporting
THE Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has raised the alarm over the alleged vandalism and removal of railway assets by officials of the Oyo State Government along its statutory right-of-way in Ibadan, describing the incident as a grave violation of federal infrastructure.
The Managing Director of the Corporation, Dr Kayode Opeifa, disclosed that the NRC received a disturbing report on the destruction of fixed railway assets worth several millions of naira along the railway corridor in Ibadan South-West Local Government Area of Oyo State.
According to the report, the incident occurred on Monday, 2 February 2026, at the Mile One–Ten axis of the corridor and was allegedly led by the Chairman of Ibadan South-West Local Government Council, Hon. Kehinde Amanda.
The chairman was said to have acted alongside a group comprising thugs, individuals reportedly dressed in Nigerian Army uniforms, and operatives of the Amotekun Corps.
The council chairman allegedly claimed to be acting on the directive of the Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde.
In a statement signed by the NRC’s Chief Public Relations Officer, Mr Callistus Unyimadu, the Corporation said railway assets, including rails, sleepers, signal poles, billboards and perimeter fences belonging to NRC tenants, were destroyed and carted away during the operation.
The NRC stressed that the affected area is a clearly defined and legally protected railway right-of-way.
The statement further revealed that attempts by the NRC Police Command to stop the action were reportedly resisted, forcing the officers to withdraw from the scene.
Describing the incident as a serious breach, the Corporation said it was comprehensively documenting the matter and would pursue appropriate administrative and legal actions to protect its assets and prevent future encroachments on railway corridors nationwide.
Dr Opeifa appealed to Governor Makinde to urgently call the Ibadan South-West Local Government Chairman to order in order to avert a breakdown of law and order and halt what he described as the continued abuse of the fundamental rights of railway workers.
He assured that the Corporation would continue to uphold law and order despite what it termed provocation.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Railway Corporation has commended the Lagos State Government for its support in addressing perennial flooding challenges within the Ebute-Meta railway corridor and adjoining communities.
In a separate statement signed by Mr Unyimadu, the Corporation expressed appreciation for the Lagos State Government’s intervention in the construction of the Carter–Railway Drainage Channel (System 4) within Lagos Mainland Local Government Area.
According to the NRC, the project, announced at a stakeholders’ meeting held at the railway premises in Lagos, will help deflood the entire Ebute-Meta railway compound as well as parts of Olaleye and neighbouring communities.
Officials of the Lagos State Government at the meeting disclosed that a contract has already been awarded for the project.
The drainage infrastructure involves the construction of a reinforced concrete channel running from Murtala Muhammed Way, Ebute-Meta, through the NRC corridor to a confluence point at Iponri on Western Avenue.
Briefing stakeholders, the Director of Drainage Services at the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, Engr Adedapo Ajadi, said the project would permanently address the recurring flooding that has long affected residents of the railway compound and surrounding areas.
Stakeholders at the meeting included NRC management and tenants such as St Saviour’s School, CCECC quarters, NRC staff quarters, NTA Channel 10, churches, mosques, railway stations, locomotive yards, the Railway Museum, the Federal Medical Centre General Hospital and the FMC Cancer Hospital in Ebute-Meta, as well as manufacturing firms, MSMEs and other organisations within Lagos Mainland.
Engr Ajadi, who led a four-man delegation from the ministry, appealed to the management of the NRC and other stakeholders for maximum cooperation during the construction period, which he said would last approximately 18 months.
He added that work on the project would commence soon and that the completed infrastructure would become an asset of the Nigerian Railway Corporation.
Commending the initiative, Dr Opeifa assured the Lagos State Government of the Corporation’s full cooperation to ensure the successful execution of the multi-billion-naira project.
He noted that the intervention would significantly reduce flooding in the railway compound and adjoining communities.
Representatives of affected institutions also welcomed the project. Ms Agatha Usman, representing St Saviour’s School, said the school had suffered annual flooding and expressed relief that the state government was providing a permanent solution.
Mr Taiye Olaniyi, speaking on behalf of the Railway Museum, lauded the Lagos State Government for coming to the aid of the NRC, noting that the project would bring lasting relief to the railway community.
Similarly, the Medical Director of the Federal Medical Centre, Dr Sam Oguine, thanked the Lagos State Government for the intervention, saying the drainage channel would help preserve the health facility and improve service delivery.
A joint inspection of the corridor was subsequently carried out by directors from various NRC departments alongside representatives of the Corporation’s in-house unions to assess the project alignment and identify areas that would be affected by the construction.
What's your reaction?
