The Managing Director of Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) Dr Kayode Opeifa, has alleged the that the Chairman of the Ibadan South-West Local Government, Kehinde Adeyemi Amanda led some security operatives and thugs to vandalise assets of the corporation at the Mile One-Ten axis of Oyo State capital
Opeifa said this while raising alarm about destruction and removal of railway fixed assets along the corporation’s right-of-way in Ibadan South-West Local Government Area, Oyo State in a statement on Tuesday.
Opeifa said the incident occurred on Monday, February 2 with Amanda leading thugs, individuals dressed in Nigerian Army uniforms, and Amotekun operatives to vandalise NRC property
Opeifa claimed that the council chairman claimed to be acting on the instructions of the state governor,” Opeifa said.
The NRC boss said rails, sleepers, signal poles, billboards and fences belonging to NRC tenants along the corridor were destroyed and carted away.
“The affected area is a clearly defined and statutorily protected railway right-of-way,” he added.
NRC hails jail sentence of vandals as fresh Kaduna Power-Line sabotage emerges
Opeifa said NRC Police Command officers were resisted while attempting to repel the action, forcing their withdrawal from the scene.
Describing the incident as a grave violation, he said the corporation was documenting the matter comprehensively for further action.
“The NRC will pursue appropriate security, administrative and legal measures to safeguard its assets and prevent future encroachments nationwide,” he said.
Opeifa appealed to the Oyo State governor to call the council chairman to order to avert a breakdown of law and order.
He pledged the corporation’s continued commitment to maintaining law and order in spite of the provocation.
NAN
