The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has raised fresh concerns over escalating attacks on its train operations rail corridor following a recent incident where suspected villagers pelted a moving train with stones along the Abuja-Kaduna highway.
The Corporation explained that the attack on the train occurred around kilometre 177 on the Abuja-Kaduna highway, where a group of unidentified persons gathered along the rail track and hurled stones at a passing train damaging the windscreen of the lead locomotive.
In a statement, NRC spokesman, Callistus Unyimadu, said the development is alarming, adding that similar incidents have been recorded in the past two weeks, including Gidan Busa/Sarki Gora Village in Kakau District, Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
“Within this period, around six attacks have been documented along the corridor, posing significant threats to passenger safety, railway personnel, and critical infrastructure,” the statement said.
The statement added that the repeated acts are not only dangerous, but also constitute economic sabotage that could disrupt national transportation and undermine government investments in the railway sector.
The NRC noted that train services have continued under strengthened safety measures, with railway personnel keeping a close watch to ensure passengers reach their destinations safely despite the attacks.
The NRC said that efforts are ongoing in collaboration with security operatives, community leaders and other stakeholders to strengthen surveillance, identify the perpetrators and bring them to justice with a view to bringing an end to the attacks.
It urged communities living along railway lines to support the protection of railway infrastructure by reporting suspicious activities to authorities and discouraging criminal acts.
It cautioned that continued attacks could disrupt service delivery unless urgent and collective action is taken.
