NRC Cries Out as Vandals Strip Railway Tracks in Plateau, Bauchi

The Nigerian Railway Corporation has raised fresh concern over  reported coordinated attacks on railway infrastructure in parts of the country, warning that the growing wave of vandalism may trigger fatal train accidents and undermine billions of naira invested in the rail sector.

The corporation said recent incidents recorded in Plateau and Bauchi states have exposed a dangerous trend of deliberate destruction and illegal removal of railway materials critical to safe train operations and national economic activities.

According to a statement issued by the Chief Public Relations Officer of the NRC, Callistus Unyimadu, one of the latest incidents occurred on May 21, 2026, when a truck loaded with suspected vandalised railway materials got stuck between Kuru and Science School in Plateau State, exposing the activities of criminal elements involved in the theft and illegal transportation of railway assets.

The NRC also disclosed that along the Zango axis in Bauchi State, between Kilometer 878 and 889, railway slippers were completely removed on both sides of a level crossing, leaving only a few disconnected rail components behind.

The corporation warned that the destruction of railway tracks, slippers, clips, fastenings and signalling materials poses grave danger to rail transportation, noting that such acts could lead to catastrophic train accidents, disruption of services, loss of lives and severe economic setbacks.

Describing the development as an attack on critical national infrastructure and public safety, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the NRC, Kayode Opeifa, condemned the persistent vandalism, saying it amounted to sabotage against national progress.

He noted that the increasing incidents across the North Central and North East railway corridors indicate an alarming pattern requiring urgent intervention from security agencies, state governments, traditional rulers, community leaders and residents living along rail lines.

Opeifa appealed to Nigerians to regard railway infrastructure as a strategic national asset built with taxpayers’ money to support transportation, trade and economic growth, stressing that such facilities should not be reduced to scraps for illegal business activities.

He warned vandals, scrap dealers and other individuals involved in the unlawful purchase, destruction or movement of railway materials to desist immediately or face prosecution.

The corporation further called on security agencies to strengthen surveillance and enforcement operations around railway corridors nationwide, while urging members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities around railway facilities.

The NRC urged Nigerians to join hands in protecting railway infrastructure, insisting that the nation’s rail system remains too important to be left vulnerable to criminal attacks.

NRC worries over stone attacks on Abuja-Kaduna trains

The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has raised the alarm over a surge in attacks on trains operating along the Abuja–Kaduna corridor, warning that the incidents pose growing risks to passenger safety and critical transport infrastructure.

In the latest episode, suspected vandals reportedly targeted a moving train around Kilometre 177, hurling stones that shattered the windscreen of the lead locomotive.

The attack is one of several recorded in recent weeks along the busy rail line.

According to a statement by the NRC’s Chief Public Relations Officer, Callistus Unyimadu, similar incidents have occurred in multiple locations, including Gidan Busa/Sarki Gora Village in Kakau District, Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

He disclosed that no fewer than six attack points have been identified along the corridor within a short period.

The corporation described the pattern as a dangerous escalation that threatens not only passengers and railway personnel but also the integrity of rail infrastructure.

It warned that such acts amount to economic sabotage capable of disrupting a key transport link and undermining significant government investment in the sector.

Despite the attacks, the NRC said train services had continued under heightened security and operational vigilance, with personnel maintaining strict safety protocols to protect passengers.

The agency commended security operatives for their ongoing efforts in safeguarding the corridor and noted that it is collaborating closely with security agencies, community leaders, and other stakeholders to strengthen surveillance and track down those responsible.

Appealing for public cooperation, the NRC urged residents along the rail line to remain vigilant, report suspicious activities, and discourage acts of vandalism.

It cautioned that continued attacks could disrupt service delivery if not urgently addressed, while reaffirming its commitment to safe, secure, and efficient rail operations nationwide.

NRC Moves to Standardise Hygiene for Clean Trains, Safer Journeys Nationwide

In a move that signals a shift from routine maintenance to passenger-focused service delivery, the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has rolled out a nationwide cleanliness protocol aimed at raising safety, comfort and global competitiveness across its rail network.

At the heart of the initiative is a newly introduced Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) that sets uniform rules for cleaning train coaches and railway stations—an area the Corporation now describes as critical to operational success, not just aesthetics.

The SOP was unveiled in Lagos during a hands-on workshop that brought together cleaning contractors from across the country, marking what NRC management calls a “milestone” in repositioning the rail system.

Managing Director Kayode Opeifa made it clear that sanitation is no longer a back-end function but a frontline performance metric. According to him, the modern rail experience goes beyond punctuality, extending to how safe, clean and comfortable passengers feel from station to coach.

“Passengers judge us not only by our schedules but by the environment we provide,” he said, stressing that public confidence in rail transport is closely tied to visible hygiene standards.

The workshop, organised by the Corporation’s Business Processes, Efficiency and Due Diligence (BuPED) unit, also introduced a set of Quality Control Cleaning Codes designed to eliminate inconsistencies across locations and operators. For the 24 service providers in attendance, compliance is no longer optional—future contract evaluations will hinge strictly on adherence to the new benchmarks.

Director of BuPED, Oyekunle Oyewole, noted that the new regime would enforce measurable performance standards, ensuring that every contractor operates with the same level of professionalism nationwide.

Beyond immediate improvements, the NRC is positioning the reform as part of a broader strategy to prepare for an expanding rail network.

With new corridors such as Kano–Kaduna and Ibadan–Ilorin in the pipeline, the corporation is building what it describes as a multi-billion-naira ecosystem—one where service providers who meet today’s standards will play key roles in tomorrow’s operations.

The message from the NRC is clear: in the next phase of Nigeria’s rail revival, cleanliness is not cosmetic—it is core to safety, efficiency and passenger trust.