The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has raised the alarm over the alleged destruction and removal of railway assets worth several millions of naira along its right-of-way in Ibadan South-West Local Government Area of Oyo State.
According to the corporation, the incident occurred on Monday, at the Mile One–Ten axis of the local government area.
In a statement made available to journalists, by NRC’s Public Relations Officer, Callistus Unyimadu, alleged that the Chairman of Ibadan South-West Local Government, Hon. Kehinde Adeyemi Amanda, personally led the operation that resulted in the vandalisation of the railway facilities.
The corporation claimed that the council chairman was accompanied by suspected thugs, individuals dressed in Nigerian Army uniforms, and operatives of the Oyo State Security Network Agency, Amotekun, during the exercise.
It further alleged that the council chairman informed NRC officials that he was acting on the directive of the Oyo State Governor. As of the time of filing this report, the state government has not reacted to the allegation.
The NRC said rail infrastructure affected during the operation included rail tracks, sleepers, signal poles, billboards, and perimeter fences belonging to both the corporation and its tenants along the corridor. It added that the affected location falls within a clearly demarcated and legally protected railway right-of-way.
The corporation also disclosed that officers of its Police Command attempted to stop the exercise but were allegedly overpowered and forced to withdraw from the scene.
Describing the development as a serious violation of federal assets, the NRC said it is documenting the incident and will take appropriate security, administrative and legal actions to protect its properties and prevent future encroachment on railway corridors nationwide.
The Managing Director of the NRC, Dr Kayode Opeifa, appealed to the Oyo State Governor to urgently intervene by calling the Ibadan South-West Local Government chairman to order, warning that the situation could degenerate into a breakdown of law and order.
Dr Opeifa also expressed concern over what he described as the continued abuse of the fundamental rights of railway workers, while assuring that the corporation would continue to act within the confines of the law despite provocation.
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