Olusegun Adeyemo
The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has raised the alarm over a troubling act of sabotage along the Lagos-Ibadan Standard Gauge corridor, particularly between Agege and Agbado stations. During a routine inspection, officials discovered that critical signalling equipment had been tampered with, threatening both passenger safety and the smooth operation of the railway.
According to NRC’s Chief Public Relations Officer, Callistus Unyimadu, unidentified individuals removed protective caps from signal machines and severed connection cables on Switch Point Machine No. 2 — essential components that keep the rail system running safely.
Unyimadu condemned the act as “a serious threat to both passengers and railway staff” and warned that it undermines the government’s ongoing efforts to modernise Nigeria’s rail transport network.
Unfortunately, this incident is not isolated. Over the past few years, the NRC has repeatedly battled the theft and destruction of railway assets nationwide — from tracks and signal equipment to communication cables — often orchestrated by scavengers and organised criminal groups.
Just weeks ago, the Nigeria Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) highlighted concerns over the deteriorating state of NRC infrastructure in its report on a recent Abuja-Kaduna rail accident, echoing the Corporation’s warnings.
Despite the sabotage, the NRC has assured commuters that train services on the Lagos-Ibadan route continue uninterrupted. Security agencies have been alerted, and investigations are ongoing to bring the perpetrators to justice.
In a plea to the public, the NRC urged residents and host communities along the railway corridor to stay vigilant, report suspicious activity, and help safeguard the nation’s rail system.
“The safety and reliability of our rail operations depend not just on us, but on everyone living near the tracks,” Unyimadu said.