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By Fidelis Ugbomeh
As part of efforts to stem rampant effontry of stealing railway infrastructures by hoodlums especially at nights, Federal government has through management of Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) been enjoined to install electric/solar powered lights at urban centres along narrow/standard gauge railway corridors in the country.
This is coming on the background of arrest of one person on August 10, 2025 along Agege-Ikeja, narrow gauge railway corridor (at night) by security operatives for removal of 350 “pando clips” and denial of a viral video report on social media by management of NRC that a section of Lagos-Ibadan standard gauge railway line was vandalized.
It was reliably gathered that the culprit involved in theft of the “pando clips”, alongside others who took to their heels on siting security operatives hid under cover of the night to perpetrate the act prompting management’s decision to order for immediate replacement of the clips on August 11, 2025. pending outcome of investigation into the matter and prosecution of those found wanting.
According to one of the railway track crew deployed to the site who pleaded for anonymity, the clips were removed between “Eldorado company and Ikeja”, railway terminal at night but that vigilant security operatives on patrol arrested a man with sack load of clips.
He said further that the culprit was later handed over to the Nigerian Railway Police alongside the stolen items as proof for further investigation and prosecution.
A public affairs analyst, Mr. Ifeayin Udo, said that the entire railway corridor from Kajola to Iddo should be illuminated with electric or solar powered lights so as to prevent intruders from hiding under cover of darkness to remove clips, bolts and nuts.
Similarly he called for constant patrol by security operatives and engagement of members of the local communities along the railway corridorson need to assist in the protection of railway infrastructures.
Udo noted that though the narrow and standard gauge rail corridors within the Lagos metropolis has been barricaded, provision should be made for construction of pedestrian bridges where not available and enforcement of it’s use.
“Pedestrains and animals should not be allowed to stroll and stray respectively into the railway lines during the day and night so as to avert any untoward occurrence”, he said
Udo who is a regular passenger also posited that it is not just about arrest and prosecution of rail property vandals adding that the public should be enlightened about the implications of stealing railway assets.
He enjoined management of NRC to look inwards because the long standing practice of vandalization of railway assets could not have continued without the connivance of railway workers.
According to him railway workers salary structure should be removed from the civil service salary structure while their condition of service should be properly streamlined in line with what obtains in Nigerian Ports Authority, Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria and Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency.
Recall that the management of NRC refuted reports that the $1.5billi8n Lagos-Ibadan standard gauge railway line inaugurated by late President Muhammadu Buhari in June 2021 was vandalised.
The management however said the vandalization recorded in the viral video occurred on August 7 and 27, 2024 along narrow gauge laid concrete sleepers between Omi-Adio and Erunmu in Oyo State and not the Lagos-Ibadan standard gauge railway corridor.
According to a statement issued by NRC’s public relations office these acts were recorded when 17 short rails and 25 e-clips were removed respectively.
The statement further revealed that after the replacement another set of 250 e-clips were vandalised on September 9, 2024 even as these incidents triggered arrest of several suspects after raiding some metal scrap companies allegedly involved in purchasing railway metals.
