The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Northern District, has said that rail track vandalism and insecurity in some parts of the North are affecting its operations of the Kano-Lagos train services following the interception of two truckloads of the vandalized items.
Mr Habeeb Alaka, Regional District Manager (RDM) in charge of Kaduna, Kano, Zamfara, Katsina, Yobe and Jigawa states, stated this during a media parley in Zaria, Kaduna State.
Alaka said that recently there was an incident of rail track vandalism in Sheme in Katsina State where a staff of NRC was killed by the vandals when he attempted to raise alarm.
He said the swift intervention of the Katsina State Government assisted the NRC in apprehending the suspects who were currently in custody.
Alaka also said another incident occurred on March 16, in Chidunu village, Chikun LGA of Kaduna State, where a section of the track was dismantled, amounting to two trailer loads of materials.
He said due to logistical challenges and security concerns, NRC couldn’t immediately retrieve the materials but collaborated with vigilantes who managed to intercept two trailers carrying the stolen items.