NRC MD Opeifa Vows Crackdown On Railway Vandals After ₦200m Recovery

The Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Dr. Kayode Opeifa, has pledged to strengthen collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies to curb vandalism and protect the country’s railway infrastructure.

According to a statement on Friday, Opeifa made the pledge on Friday during a courtesy visit to the Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Command, CP Olugbenga Ayodeji Abimbola, at the Command Headquarters in Eleyele, Ibadan.

He said the Corporation would continue working closely with security agencies to ensure that individuals arrested for vandalising railway facilities are diligently prosecuted to serve as a deterrent to others.

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The NRC boss commended the Oyo State Police Command and the Nigeria Railway Police Command for their role in the recent arrest of three suspected railway vandals and the recovery of stolen railway materials valued at about ₦200 million.

According to him, the suspects were arrested during an intelligence-led operation while allegedly transporting vandalised railway materials from Niger State to Lagos.

Describing the operation as a major breakthrough in the fight against railway vandalism, Opeifa said it underscored the importance of sustained collaboration between the Corporation and security agencies in safeguarding critical national infrastructure.

He reiterated the NRC’s commitment to deepening partnerships with the police, other security agencies, state governments, host communities and relevant stakeholders to eliminate vandalism, theft and other acts capable of disrupting railway operations nationwide.

Opeifa also appealed to members of the public to support the campaign against railway vandalism by providing credible and timely information to security agencies.

“The Nigerian Railway Corporation remains committed to delivering safe, reliable and sustainable rail transportation while working closely with security agencies and other stakeholders to protect the nation’s railway infrastructure,” he said.

Responding, the Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Command, CP Olugbenga Ayodeji Abimbola, called on the National Assembly to strengthen existing laws on vandalism of critical national infrastructure by prescribing stiffer penalties for offenders.

He warned vandals and other criminal elements to stay away from Oyo State, assuring that the Command would continue to pursue, arrest and prosecute anyone involved in the destruction or theft of public infrastructure.

Abimbola added that the three suspects arrested alongside the recovered railway materials would be handed over to the Nigeria Railway Police Command for further investigation and prosecution.