…NRC described the incident as a “disturbing development,”
OYO, NIGERIA- The iNews Times | The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has accused a local government council in Oyo State of supervising the destruction of railway infrastructure valued at several million naira in Ibadan, warning that it would deploy all necessary security, administrative and legal measures to safeguard its assets and prevent further encroachment on railway corridors nationwide.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by its Chief Public Relations Officer, Callistus Unyimadu, the NRC described the incident as a “disturbing development,” citing reports of the demolition and removal of fixed railway installations along its right-of-way in Ibadan South-West Local Government Area.
The corporation said the incident occurred on Monday and was allegedly led by the Chairman of Ibadan South-West Local Government Council, Kehinde Adeyemi Amada, who was reportedly present at the scene.
According to the NRC, Amada allegedly mobilised a group comprising thugs, individuals dressed in Nigerian Army uniforms and operatives of the Oyo State Security Network Agency, Amotekun, to vandalise railway property along the Mile One–Ten axis of Ibadan.
Unyimadu added that the council chairman was said to have claimed he was acting on the directive of the state governor.
Part of the statement read: “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.”
The NRC said several critical railway assets, including rails, sleepers, signal poles and billboards, were destroyed and removed during the operation. It added that fences belonging to lawful tenants operating within the corridor were also demolished.
The corporation emphasised that the affected area is a clearly defined and statutorily protected railway right-of-way, noting that any form of encroachment or interference amounts to a breach of federal law.
The NRC further disclosed that efforts by officers of its Police Command to halt the operation were met with resistance, forcing them to withdraw to prevent a possible escalation.
Describing the incident as a “serious violation of federal railway assets,” the corporation confirmed that it has begun comprehensive documentation of the incident.
“The Nigerian Railway Corporation will not stand by while vital national assets are destroyed,” the statement said, stressing that the issue transcends local governance and concerns the protection of critical national infrastructure.
In the statement, the Managing Director of the NRC, Dr Kayode Opeifa, appealed 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 result in a breakdown of law and order, as well as continued violations of the fundamental rights of railway workers in the area.
He, however, assured that the corporation remains committed to maintaining peace and order and would continue to act responsibly “even in the face of provocation.”
When contacted, the Oyo State Commissioner for Information, Dotun Oyelade, requested time to study the NRC’s statement before responding. Although the statement was forwarded to him, no response had been received as of press time.
