NRC Alleges Oyo Local Govt Chairman of Vandalizing Railway Assets Worth Millions

The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has condemned the destruction of multi-million naira infrastructure in Ibadan, allegedly orchestrated by local government officials.

In a statement released Tuesday and obtained by Persecondnews, NRC spokesperson Callistus Unyimadu vowed that the corporation would pursue all legal and administrative avenues to protect its assets and halt further encroachment on federal railway corridors.

The NRC identified Kehinde Amada, Chairman of the Ibadan South-West Local Government Council, as the lead figure in Monday’s incident.

According to the corporation, Amada was personally present as a group—comprising thugs, individuals in Nigerian Army uniforms, and Amotekun operatives—vandalized fixed assets along the Mile One–Ten axis. The Chairman reportedly claimed his actions were sanctioned by the state governor.

The statement reads: “According to the report, the destruction which occurred on Monday, February 2, 2026, was carried out by the Chairman of the Ibadan South-West Local Government Council, Kehinde Adeyemi Amada, who allegedly led a group comprising thugs, persons dressed in Nigerian Army uniforms, and operatives of Amotekun to vandalise NRC properties at the Mile One–Ten axis.”

During the operation, the NRC said critical rail assets, including rails, sleepers, signal poles, and billboards, were destroyed and carted away.

Fences belonging to tenants operating legally along the corridor were also reportedly pulled down.

The NRC emphasized that the targeted area is a “statutorily protected right-of-way,” warning that any interference constitutes a direct breach of federal law.

According to the corporation’s spokesperson, NRC police officers attempted to halt the destruction but were met with “forceful resistance,” eventually withdrawing from the site to prevent a violent escalation.

Condemning the act as a “grave violation” of federal assets, the NRC confirmed it has begun documenting the incident for further action.

“The Nigerian Railway Corporation will not fold its arms while critical national assets are vandalised,” it stated, stressing that the matter goes beyond local governance and touches on national infrastructure protection.

NRC Managing Director/CEO, Dr. Kayode Opeifa, has called on the Oyo State Governor to intervene and restrain the Ibadan South-West Local Government Chairman.

Opeifa warned that a failure to act could trigger a breakdown of law and order and lead to further harassment of railway personnel.

Despite the “provocation,” Opeifa maintained that the NRC remains committed to acting responsibly, though he stressed that the rights of workers must be protected.

Efforts to reach the Oyo State Commissioner for Information, Dotun Oyelade, for a reaction were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report.