NRC Condemns Oyo Govt Over Alleged Vandalisation of Rail Facilities

…Alleges LG chairman acted on governor’s directive as security operatives resist NRC police

The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has condemned the Oyo State Government over the destruction of federally owned railway assets worth several millions of naira along its right-of-way in Ibadan, describing the action as unlawful and a serious breach of federal authority.

In a statement issued by the Chief Publicity Relations Officer of Corporation, Callistus Unyimadu said the incident occurred on February 2, 2026, at the Mile One–Ten axis of Ibadan South-West Local Government Area, where critical railway infrastructure was allegedly vandalised and removed.

According to the NRC, the Chairman of Ibadan South-West Local Government Council, Honourable Kehinde Adeyemi Amanda, personally led the operation that resulted in the destruction of the assets, accompanied by thugs, individuals dressed in Nigerian Army uniforms, and operatives of the Oyo State Security Network, Amotekun.

“The council chairman claimed he was acting on the directive of the Oyo State Governor,” the statement said, adding that the affected corridor is a clearly defined and statutorily protected railway right-of-way under federal law.

The Corporation listed the destroyed items to include rails, sleepers, signal poles, billboards, and perimeter fences belonging to NRC tenants operating along the corridor, noting that the scale of damage runs into several millions of naira.

The NRC further disclosed that efforts by officers of its police command to stop the operation were resisted. “Our officers were prevented from carrying out their lawful duties and were forced to withdraw from the scene,” the Corporation stated.

Describing the incident as a grave violation of federal railway assets, the NRC said it is comprehensively documenting the matter and will pursue appropriate security, administrative, and legal actions to safeguard its infrastructure and prevent future encroachments nationwide.

While reacting to the development, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, Dr. Kayode Opeifa, appealed to the Oyo State Governor to urgently intervene.

“The governor must call the Ibadan South-West Local Government Chairman to order to avert a breakdown of law and order,” he said.

Dr. Opeifa also warned that continued actions of this nature could lead to the abuse of the fundamental rights of railway workers, while assuring that the Corporation would remain committed to maintaining peace and protecting its assets despite what he described as “unnecessary provocation.”