The Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Dr. Kayode Opeifa, has reaffirmed the Corporation’s commitment to strengthening collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies to protect railway infrastructure across the country.
He made this known during a courtesy visit to the Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Command, CP Olugbenga Ayodeji Abimbola, in Ibadan, describing railway facilities as critical national assets that must be protected from vandalism and sabotage.
Dr. Opeifa commended the Oyo State Police Command and the Nigeria Railway Police Command for the recent arrest of three suspected railway vandals and the recovery of stolen railway materials valued at about ₦200 million.
The suspects were reportedly intercepted during an intelligence-led operation while transporting the vandalised materials from Niger State to Lagos, highlighting the effectiveness of inter-agency collaboration in combating infrastructure-related crimes.
The NRC boss said the Corporation would continue to work closely with security agencies to ensure diligent investigation and prosecution of all suspects arrested for vandalising railway facilities.
He stressed that acts of vandalism not only destroy public investments but also threaten safe and reliable rail transportation, adding that the Corporation remains committed to delivering sustainable railway services to Nigerians.
Dr. Opeifa further appealed to members of the public to support ongoing efforts by providing timely and credible information that could help prevent criminal activities targeting railway infrastructure.
He noted that collaboration with state governments, host communities and other stakeholders remains vital to eliminating theft, vandalism and sabotage across the nation’s railway network.
Responding, the Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Command, CP Olugbenga Ayodeji Abimbola, called on the National Assembly to strengthen existing laws protecting critical national infrastructure by prescribing stiffer penalties for vandals.
He warned criminals to stay away from Oyo State and assured that the Command would continue to pursue, arrest and prosecute offenders, adding that the three suspects would be handed over to the Nigeria Railway Police Command for further investigation and prosecution.
Reporting by Victor Okichie