LAGOS — The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has raised a frantic alarm over what it describes as “incessant and barbaric” attacks on the Abuja-Kaduna rail line, signaling a breakdown of security along the nation’s flagship corridor. Reports reaching The Lagos Times confirm that the rail line, once hailed as the safest alternative to the treacherous Abuja-Kaduna highway, is now being targeted by suspected vandals and criminal elements.
The most recent assault took place at Kilometer 177, where a mob reportedly gathered along the tracks and launched a volley of stones at a passing train. The impact shattered the locomotive’s windscreen, sending shockwaves through the passenger cabins. This latest flare-up brings the total number of documented attacks to six within just two weeks, with the NRC identifying the Gidan Busa/Sarki Gora axis as a “danger zone” for commuters and railway staff alike.
NRC Spokesman, Callistus Unyimadu, did not mince words in a statement issued in Lagos, describing the situation as a direct threat to the lives of Nigerians. “These persistent attacks are acts of economic sabotage,” Unyimadu declared, pointing out that the destruction of multi-million naira equipment undermines the Federal Government’s efforts to fix the country’s broken transport sector.
For many Lagosians and residents across the federation, the news brings back the trauma of previous rail tragedies. The corporation, however, insists that the trains will not stop running. To prevent a total shutdown, the NRC has called for an immediate “community-led defense” of the tracks.
The Lagos Times notes that while the NRC commends security operatives for their “tireless support,” the frequency of these attacks suggests that current surveillance is insufficient. The corporation is now appealing to traditional rulers and community heads in the Kakau District and beyond to fish out the perpetrators. With the Abuja-Kaduna corridor being a vital artery for the nation’s economy, the NRC warned that if these “stone-throwers” are not reigned in, the corporation may be forced to take drastic measures that could disrupt national travel and trade. The government’s multi-billion naira rail dream is currently under siege, and the next few weeks will determine if the tracks remain a path to progress or a corridor of fear.
