The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has accused the Oyo State Government of destroying and removing railway assets worth several millions of naira along a protected railway corridor in Ibadan.
In a press release issued in Lagos on Monday night, the NRC disclosed that it received a distressing report concerning the destruction of its fixed rail assets within the Ibadan South-West Local Government Area of Oyo State. The incident reportedly occurred on Monday, February 2, 2026.
According to the Corporation, the operation was allegedly carried out under the supervision of the Chairman of Ibadan South-West Local Government, Hon. Kehinde Adeyemi Amanda, who was said to be personally present at the site. The NRC further alleged that the chairman led a group comprising suspected thugs, individuals dressed in Nigerian Army uniforms, and operatives of Amotekun to vandalise and remove NRC properties along the Mile One–Ten axis.
The Corporation stated that assets affected during the operation included railway rails, sleepers, signal poles, billboards, perimeter fences, and other installations belonging to NRC tenants. It stressed that the location in question is a clearly defined and statutorily protected railway right-of-way under federal law.
The NRC also claimed that efforts by its Police Command to halt the destruction were resisted, forcing officers to withdraw from the scene.
Describing the incident as a “grave violation of federal railway assets,” the NRC said it is compiling comprehensive documentation of the incident and will pursue appropriate security, administrative, and legal measures to safeguard its infrastructure and prevent future encroachment on railway corridors nationwide.
The Managing Director of the NRC, Dr. Kayode Opeifa, appealed directly to the Oyo State Governor to intervene by calling the local government chairman to order, warning that the situation could lead to a breakdown of law and order and continued abuse of the rights of railway workers. He added that the Corporation remains committed to maintaining law and order despite what it described as provocation.
As of the time of filing this report, the Oyo State Government has not issued an official response to the allegations.
