NRC, NSCDC foil railway vandalism attempt, recover nine cylinders in Osun

The Nigerian Railway Corporation and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps have foiled an attempt to vandalise railway track materials at the siding serving the Dangote Steel Rolling Mills in Osogbo, Osun State, recovering nine oxygen gas cylinders allegedly brought to the site for the operation.

In a statement signed on Sunday by its Chief Public Relations Officer, Callistus Unyimadu, the NRC said its Principal Track Officer in Osogbo received a report on Friday, August 28, about the ongoing vandalisation of railway track materials and immediately proceeded to the site with security personnel.

The statement said, “On sighting the security operatives, the suspected vandals fled the scene.”

It added, “A search of the area led to the recovery of nine oxygen gas cylinders reportedly brought to the site for the illegal operation.”

The corporation said security personnel, including officers of the NSCDC Railway Command, had since secured the affected railway materials and the vicinity.

Reacting to the incident, the NRC Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Kayode Opeifa, described the intervention as “another significant success in the sustained efforts to protect railway infrastructure from vandals and other economic saboteurs.”

Opeifa commended the security personnel for their vigilance and timely response, while urging security formations across the railway network to intensify surveillance and enforcement against the vandalisation and theft of railway assets.

He stressed that “railway infrastructure constitutes critical national assets whose protection is essential to the safety of rail operations, sustainability of services and the economic development of the country.”

The NRC boss also called on members of the public, particularly communities located along railway corridors, to support the campaign against vandalism by promptly reporting suspicious activities around railway tracks, stations and other railway facilities.

He further directed security operatives to intensify efforts towards identifying, apprehending and prosecuting those responsible for the attempted vandalisation at the Dangote Steel Rolling Mills siding.

Opeifa assured that the corporation would continue to support security agencies in efforts to curb vandalism and other acts capable of undermining railway operations across the country.