NRC raises the alarm over railway vandalism in Plateau, Bauchi

The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has issued a strong warning regarding a disturbing increase in railway vandalism in Plateau and Bauchi states. The corporation highlighted that these attacks on critical national infrastructure pose serious threats to public safety, economic growth, and national security.

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a direct attack on critical national infrastructure, public safety, economic growth, and national security.

Recent incidents underscore the severity of the problem. On May 21, 2026, a truck allegedly carrying vandalized railway materials was found stuck between Kuru and Science School in Plateau State. This discovery exposed the dangerous activities of criminal elements involved in the destruction and illegal movement of railway property. In Bauchi State, along the railway corridor in Zango, railway slippers were completely removed on both sides of a level crossing, leaving only disjointed rail pieces.

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the dangerous activities of criminal elements involved in the destruction and illegal movement of railway materials.

The NRC emphasized that such acts of vandalism could result in catastrophic train accidents, disruption of rail services, loss of lives, and the destruction of billions of naira worth of government investments. Railway tracks, slippers, clips, fastenings, and signaling materials are described as critical national assets essential for transportation, trade, economic activities, and national development, and should not be treated as scrap for illegal business.

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catastrophic train accidents, disruption of rail services, loss of lives, and destruction of government investments worth billions of naira.

NRC Managing Director and CEO, Dr. Kayode Opeifa, condemned the persistent attacks as sabotage against national progress and a threat to passengers and railway personnel. He called for urgent collective action from security agencies, state governments, traditional rulers, community leaders, and residents along railway lines. Opeifa urged Nigerians to protect railway infrastructure as a national symbol and strategic economic asset, warning that vandals and those involved in the illegal trade of railway materials would face the full force of the law. The corporation also appealed to the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities.

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should never be treated as scraps for illegal business.