Opeifa Vows Stronger Security Collaboration As Police Recover ₦200m Stolen Railway Materials
OLORUNDARE ENIMOLA, Lagos
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 from vandalism, describing railway assets as critical national infrastructure that must be safeguarded.
Dr. Opeifa made the pledge on Friday during a courtesy visit to the Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Command, CP Olugbenga Ayodeji Abimbola, at the Command Headquarters in Eleyele, Ibadan.
Accompanied by the Commissioner of Police, Nigeria Railway Police Command, CP Lasisi Titilola, the NRC Managing Director said the Corporation would continue to work closely with security agencies to ensure that suspects arrested for vandalising railway facilities are thoroughly investigated and prosecuted to deter others from engaging in similar crimes.
He commended the Oyo State Police Command and the Nigeria Railway Police Command for their professionalism, vigilance and swift response, which recently resulted in the arrest of three suspected railway vandals and the recovery of stolen railway materials valued at about ₦200 million.
According to him, the suspects were apprehended during an intelligence-led operation while allegedly transporting vandalised railway materials from Niger State to Lagos.
Describing the operation as a major breakthrough in the fight against railway vandalism, Dr. Opeifa said the successful arrest underscored the effectiveness of sustained collaboration between the NRC and security agencies in protecting public assets and preserving the nation’s railway infrastructure.
He reiterated the Corporation’s resolve to deepen partnerships with the Police, other security agencies, state governments, host communities and relevant stakeholders to combat vandalism, theft and other acts of sabotage capable of disrupting railway operations across the country.
The NRC boss also appealed to members of the public to support the campaign against railway vandalism by providing credible and timely information to security agencies to help prevent criminal activities targeting railway facilities.
“The Nigerian Railway Corporation remains committed to delivering safe, reliable and sustainable rail transportation while working closely with security agencies and other stakeholders to protect the nation’s railway infrastructure,” Opeifa stated.
In his remarks, 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 acts of vandalism.
He warned vandals and other criminal elements to stay away from Oyo State, assuring residents that the Command would continue to pursue, arrest and prosecute anyone involved in the destruction or theft of public infrastructure.
The police commissioner added that the three suspects arrested alongside the recovered railway materials would be handed over to the Nigeria Railway Police Command for further investigation and prosecution.
