The Nigerian Railway Corporation has accused a local government authority in Oyo State of supervising the destruction of railway infrastructure worth several million naira in Ibadan.
The corporation warned that it would pursue all necessary security administrative and legal measures to protect its assets and prevent further encroachment on railway corridors nationwide.
In a statement signed on Tuesday by the Chief Public Relations Officer of the NRC Callistus Unyimadu the incident was described as a worrisome development involving the destruction and removal of fixed railway assets along the corporation right of way in Ibadan South West Local Government Area.
According to the NRC the incident occurred on Monday and was allegedly carried out under the supervision of the Chairman of Ibadan South West Local Government Council Kehinde Amada who was reportedly present at the scene.
The corporation claimed that the chairman led a group made up of thugs individuals dressed in Nigerian Army uniforms and operatives of the Oyo State Security Network Agency also known as Amotekun.
The statement alleged that the group vandalised NRC property along the Mile One to Ten axis of Ibadan. During the operation vital railway assets including rails sleepers signal poles and billboards were reportedly destroyed and removed. Fences belonging to tenants who were legally operating along the corridor were also said to have been pulled down.
The NRC stressed that the affected area is a clearly defined and statutorily protected railway corridor and warned that any form of interference constitutes a violation of federal law. It added that officers of the NRC Police Command who attempted to stop the exercise were forcefully resisted and had to withdraw to avoid escalation.
Describing the act as a grave violation of federal assets the corporation confirmed that it has begun comprehensive documentation of the incident. The Managing Director of the NRC Dr Kayode Opeifa appealed to the Oyo State Governor to intervene and caution the local government chairman warning that failure to do so could lead to a breakdown of law and order.
When contacted the Oyo State Commissioner for Information Dotun Oyelade requested time to review the allegations and had not responded as of press time.
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