Federal Government Indicts Oyo State Over Alleged Rail Vandalization in Ibadan
The federal government of Nigeria has leveled serious accusations against the Oyo State Government, alleging its involvement in the vandalization of Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) assets valued at millions of naira in Ibadan. In a strong response, the government has pledged to implement decisive security, administrative, and legal actions to safeguard federal railway infrastructure from further encroachments.
Allegations of Coordinated Attack on Railway Assets
According to a statement released by the NRC on Monday, a coordinated assault occurred on fixed assets along the railway right-of-way in the Ibadan South-West Local Government Area. The incident, which took place on February 2 at the Mile One–Ten axis, reportedly involved the destruction and removal of critical rail infrastructure. The NRC described this as a grave violation of federal authority and laws protecting railway assets, emphasizing that it sets a dangerous precedent that could undermine national infrastructure protection efforts.
Local Government Chairman Accused of Leading Vandalism
The NRC has specifically implicated the Chairman of Ibadan South-West Local Government, Hon. Kehinde Adeyemi Amanda, in supervising the operation. It is alleged that the chairman led a group comprising suspected thugs, individuals dressed in Nigerian Army uniforms, and operatives of Amotekun to carry out the vandalism. Furthermore, the statement claimed that the chairman asserted he was acting under instructions from the state governor, adding a layer of political complexity to the incident.
Extensive Damage to Critical Railway Infrastructure
During the alleged attack, several vital assets were destroyed, including rails, sleepers, signal poles, billboards, and perimeter fencing. Properties belonging to NRC tenants along the corridor were also affected. The NRC stressed that the affected area is a clearly defined and legally protected railway right-of-way under federal law, making any unauthorized interference a serious offense. Attempts by the NRC Police Command to halt the operation were reportedly resisted, forcing officers to withdraw to avoid escalation.
NRC's Appeal to Governor Makinde and Commitment to Law
In response to the development, Dr. Kayode Opeifa, the Managing Director of the NRC, has appealed to Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde to intervene urgently. He called for the governor to restrain the local government chairman to prevent further breakdown of law and order and to stop the continued destruction of federal assets. Opeifa reaffirmed the Corporation's commitment to upholding law and order despite what he described as provocation, stating that the NRC remains dedicated to maintaining stability in the face of such challenges.
Federal Government's Vow for Tough Action
The federal government, under President Bola Tinubu's administration, has vowed to take tough action against the Oyo State Government over the alleged vandalization. This includes pursuing all necessary security, administrative, and legal measures to protect railway infrastructure nationwide. The NRC is currently compiling comprehensive documentation of the incident to support these actions, highlighting the seriousness with which the federal authorities are treating this breach.
This incident underscores ongoing tensions between federal and state governments over infrastructure management and protection in Nigeria. As the situation develops, stakeholders are watching closely to see how the promised legal and security actions will unfold to prevent future occurrences and ensure the safety of national assets.
