The Nigerian Railway Corporation and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps have prevented an attempt to vandalise railway infrastructure at the siding serving Dangote Steel Rolling Mills in Osogbo, Osun State.
The operation, which took place on Friday, August 28, resulted in the recovery of nine oxygen gas cylinders allegedly brought to the location by suspected vandals for the planned operation.
The NRC disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday by its Chief Public Relations Officer, Callistus Unyimadu. According to the corporation, its Principal Track Officer in Osogbo received information about the suspected vandalisation of railway track materials and immediately moved to the area with security personnel.
The suspects reportedly fled the scene after noticing the arrival of the security operatives, abandoning the materials they had allegedly brought for the operation.
A subsequent search of the area led to the discovery of nine oxygen gas cylinders, which the NRC said were believed to have been brought to the site in connection with the attempted vandalism.
Following the intervention, officers of the NSCDC Railway Command and other security personnel secured the affected railway materials and the surrounding area to prevent further damage.
Reacting to the development, NRC Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Kayode Opeifa, described the operation as another major achievement in the ongoing efforts to protect railway infrastructure from vandals and other economic saboteurs.
Opeifa commended the security personnel for their alertness and swift response, urging security formations operating across the railway network to strengthen surveillance and enforcement measures against the theft and destruction of railway assets.
He stressed that railway infrastructure remains a critical national asset, noting that its protection is important to the safety of rail operations, the continued delivery of services and the wider economic development of the country.
The NRC chief also appealed to residents and communities located along railway corridors to support efforts to safeguard the infrastructure by reporting suspicious movements and activities around railway tracks, stations and other facilities.
He further directed security operatives to intensify efforts to identify, arrest and prosecute those behind the attempted vandalisation at the Dangote Steel Rolling Mills siding.
Opeifa assured that the corporation would continue to work closely with security agencies to tackle vandalism, theft and other activities capable of disrupting railway operations and damaging critical infrastructure across the country.
