The Nigerian Railway Corporation has condemned the increasing attacks on its train operations along the Abuja–Kaduna rail corridor by suspected vandals and criminal elements, warning that the persistent incidents constitute acts of economic sabotage capable of disrupting national transportation. In a statement on Sunday, the corporation’s Chief Public Relations Officer, Callistus Unyimadu, disclosed that the latest attack occurred around Kilometer 177, where unknown persons gathered along the track and pelted stones at a moving train, damaging the windscreen of the leading locomotive.
Within the last two weeks, similar attacks have been recorded in more than six locations along the corridor, including Gidan Busa/Sarki Gora Village and Kakau District in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State. Unyimadu noted that these developments pose a serious danger to railway operations, passengers, and operational personnel, worsening the already challenging operational conditions under which the corporation continues to provide essential transport services.
From an economic perspective, the Abuja–Kaduna rail line is a critical infrastructure asset that supports the movement of goods and passengers between the nation’s capital and one of northern Nigeria’s major commercial and industrial hubs. Disruptions to train services force commuters and businesses to rely on road transport, which is often less safe and more expensive, especially amid rising fuel costs. Each attack damages not only rolling stock but also investor confidence in the government’s ability to secure strategic assets.
The railway sector has received substantial federal investment in recent years, including rolling stock upgrades and infrastructure rehabilitation. Persistent vandalism and security breaches risk undermining the returns on these investments while imposing direct costs on the NRC for repairs and security reinforcement. The corporation noted that management is working closely with security agencies, community leaders, and other stakeholders to strengthen surveillance along the corridor, identify perpetrators, and bring them to justice.
Despite the attacks, train operations have continued under necessary safety precautions, with railway personnel demonstrating commitment to ensuring passengers reach their destinations safely. The NRC acknowledged the efforts of security operatives working tirelessly to secure railway corridors and safeguard passengers and assets. However, the corporation called on residents and communities along railway corridors to support these efforts by reporting suspicious activities and discouraging criminal attacks. Without urgent collective action, the continuous attacks could negatively affect smooth service delivery, raising long-term concerns about the viability of rail as a secure alternative to road transport in the face of evolving security threats.
