“Organised conspiracy” — NRC laments destruction of railway tracks by vandals

The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has expressed displeasure over the rate of vandalism and theft of its infrastructure across the country.

The Managing Director, Freeborn Okhirie, said this during a visit to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), headquarters in Abuja.

Okhirie commended the NSCDC for its commitment in protecting Critical National Assets and Infrastructure which has, over the years, led to the arrest of railway sleeper thieves.

He, however, said that notwithstanding the NSCDC’s efforts to salvage the NRC from economic saboteurs, the corporation still suffers losses through vandalism of its installations across the country.

“Rail tracks are still being vandalised while the number of perpetrators is rising despite many arrests,” he said.

According to the NRC boss, all hands must be on deck to confront the disturbing trend which he described as “an organised conspiracy to commit economic sabotage”.

He called for a stronger synergy amongst critical stakeholders and security agencies to bring perpetrators and sponsors of such vandalism to book.

Okhirie urged Nigerians to provide information that would lead to the arrest of suspects so that infrastructure meant to meet the public’s needs would be secured.

Responding, NSCDC Commandant-General, Ahmed Audi, disclosed that more than 20 trailers conveying vandalised railway sleepers had been impounded by the Corps.

“Numerous suspects have been arrested in connection with the crime of vandalism of Railway slippers,” he said.