The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has raised the alarm over a fresh wave of rail track vandalism across the country, describing the situation as a serious threat to the rail system and passengers’ safety.

In a statement issued on Friday, the NRC said unknown persons recently removed several segments of rail tracks in different parts of the network, particularly in the northern and southern corridors. The corporation warned that continued attacks on the rail infrastructure could lead to major disruptions in train services.

The NRC noted that these acts of vandalism have become more frequent in recent months, causing delays, cancellations, and increased operational costs. In some cases, trains have had to run at reduced speeds for safety reasons, affecting thousands of passengers and cargo movement.

Managing Director of the NRC, Dr. Kayode Opeifa, condemned the attacks and called on security agencies to intensify patrols along rail corridors. He also appealed to communities living near the rail lines to report any suspicious activities to the authorities.

“Rail tracks are national assets. Attacking them is like attacking the economy and the livelihood of millions of Nigerians who depend on rail transportation,” Opeifa said.

The vandalism comes at a time when the federal government is investing heavily in railway modernisation, including the completion of new standard gauge lines. Many Nigerians have expressed frustration over the repeated destruction of infrastructure that is meant to improve connectivity and reduce the pressure on roads.

The NRC has urged the public to see the protection of rail infrastructure as a collective responsibility. It promised to work closely with the police and other security agencies to arrest and prosecute those involved in track vandalism.

As repairs continue on the affected sections, passengers have been advised to expect possible delays on some routes in the coming days. The corporation assured that efforts are being made to restore normal services as quickly as possible.