The Nigerian Railway Corporation has accused a Local Government in Oyo State of overseeing the destruction of railway infrastructure worth several million naira in Ibadan, threatening that it would pursue all necessary security, administrative, and legal measures to protect its infrastructure and prevent future encroachments on railway corridors across the country.
In a statement signed by the NRC’s Chief Public Relations Officer, Callistus Unyimadu, on Tuesday, the corporation described the development as a “worrisome report” detailing the destruction and removal of fixed railway assets along its right-of-way in Ibadan South-West Local Government Area of Oyo State.
According to the NRC, the incident occurred on Monday and was allegedly carried out by the Chairman of Ibadan South-West Local Government Council, Kehinde Amada, who was said to be personally present at the scene.
The corporation alleged that the council chairman led a group comprising thugs, persons 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 of Ibadan.
Unyimadu added that the council chairman reportedly claimed he was acting on the instructions of the state governor.
The statement partly reads, “According to the report, the destruction which occurred on Monday, February 2, 2026, was carried out by the Chairman of the Ibadan South-West Local Government Council, Kehinde Adeyemi Amada, who allegedly led a group comprising thugs, persons dressed in Nigerian Army uniforms, and operatives of Amotekun to vandalise NRC properties at the Mile One–Ten axis.”
During the operation, the NRC said critical rail assets, including rails, sleepers, signal poles, and billboards, were destroyed and carted away. Fences belonging to tenants operating legally along the corridor were also reportedly pulled down.
The corporation stressed that the affected corridor is a “clearly defined and statutorily protected railway right-of-way,” warning that any encroachment or interference constitutes a violation of federal law.
The NRC publicist added that attempts by officers of the NRC Police Command to stop the exercise were forcefully resisted, leaving them with no option but to withdraw from the scene to avoid escalation.
The NRC described the action as a “grave violation of federal railway assets” and confirmed that it has commenced comprehensive documentation of the incident.
The Corporation added that “The Nigerian Railway Corporation will not fold its arms while critical national assets are vandalised,” stressing that the matter goes beyond local governance and touches on national infrastructure protection.
In the statement, the Managing Director of the NRC, Dr. Kayode Opeifa, appealed directly to the Oyo State Governor to intervene by calling the Ibadan South-West Local Government chairman to order.
Opeifa warned that failure to address the situation could lead to a breakdown of law and order and continued abuse of the fundamental rights of railway workers operating in the area.
He, however, assured that the Corporation remains committed to maintaining law and order and would continue to act responsibly “even in the face of provocation.”
When contacted, the Oyo State Commissioner for Information, Dotun Oyelade, pleaded with our correspondent for time to review the NRC’s statement before giving a detailed response. The statement was to him, but the commissioner had yet to respond till press time.
Read the full article here
