Plateau State Ministry of Transport and the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) have expressed deep concern over the growing menace of railway vandalism in Jos and its environs, warning that the trend poses a serious threat to transportation development in the state.
The alarm was raised during a courtesy visit to the Commissioner for Transport, Hon. Jatau Davou Gyang, at the JD Gomwalk Secretariat in Jos by the Railway District Manager (RDM), Mr. Wilson Obada, and the newly appointed Area Commander of Railway for the North East District, ACP Jafar Shuaibu.
ACP Shuaibu, who oversees railway security across six states, Borno, Gombe, Benue, Plateau, Nasarawa, and Bauchi, was in Plateau to familiarize himself with stakeholders and strengthen inter-agency collaboration.
At the top of the agenda was the persistent vandalism of railway infrastructure. Commissioner Gyang stressed the need to protect railway assets as vital to Plateau’s transport sector, pledging full government support to the NRC in tackling the menace.
“The Ministry of Transport stands ready to partner fully with the Nigerian Railway Corporation to safeguard railway infrastructure and ensure its sustainability.
“We will not allow the gains of the last two years to be reversed by criminal activity,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of the NRC, Mr. Obada attributed the black-market demand for scrap materials as a key driver of vandalism, noting that some scrap dealers purchase stolen railway components.
He said the NRC would soon engage the leadership of scrap dealers in Plateau to address the issue.
Obada also disclosed plans to establish an additional halt station at Zarmaganda, a suburb of Jos, to expand access and improve passenger services.
In his remarks, ACP Shuaibu assured stakeholders of his commitment to securing railway corridors within his jurisdiction.
He called for stronger collaboration between law enforcement agencies, the NRC, and the state government to curb railway-related crimes.
Credit: Rotmwa Kassam Paulina
