The management of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has debunked claims stating that the rail tracks of the corporation are being vandalized.
However, the corporation stated that the track being circulated does not belong to NRC as all its standard gauge lines have been in daily operation.
In a statement from the managing director’s office signed by Paschal Nnorli, yesterday, the NRC in circulation has double tracks and only the Lagos-Ibadan section of the Corporation’s standard gauge is dual track and it witnesses daily train operations. It is pertinent to state that even though the Corporation records pockets of vandalization of track accessories, the one in circulation is certainly not within the jurisdiction of the corporation.
“The attention of NRC has been drawn to a viral video purportedly showing a vandalized portion of the Corporation‘s track. From a close observation, one will clearly confirm that trains have not passed on that track for some time as it is devoid of the usual shining evidence of friction between the wheels and the rail.
“The public may wish to note that just on the 9th of August 2023, the Railway Police in Rigasa in collaboration with other security agencies arrested a gang that specialized in vandalizing track accessories and signaling equipment.”
NRC said a large quantity of track accessories including clips and nuts were recovered from them, investigation is currently ongoing to get to the end users.
“We wish to use this medium to thank patriotic Nigerians who have been providing useful information to both the Corporation and Security agencies regarding activities of the vandals. Such information has led to arrests, recoveries and prosecutions.
“We urge the general public, especially communities along the railway corridor to join hands with the corporation and security agencies in curbing the menace of these vandals by promptly reporting suspicious movements along the Railway track to the nearest railway station or security agency. While thanking our esteemed passengers for their patronage, we assure you of our high commitment to providing safe train services,” it stated.
