Passengers Panic as Vandalism, Poor Maintenance Threaten Railway Safety

Frequent attacks and vandalism targeting the facilities of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) have heightened fears among passengers who rely on train services across the country.

Despite multiple warnings from the NRC and recent safety alerts issued by the Nigeria Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) concerning the deteriorating state of railway infrastructure, both the Federal Government and relevant security agencies have been accused of maintaining a worrying silence.

On August 26, a passenger train travelling from Abuja to Kaduna derailed, leaving several carriages overturned and sparking panic among travellers. The derailment occurred shortly after the train departed Abuja around 11 a.m. Witnesses described the scene as chaotic, with many passengers fleeing in fear of a possible terrorist attack.

While the NRC initially attributed the mishap to human error and excessive speeding, the NSIB, in a preliminary report, traced the incident primarily to infrastructure neglect.

Barely two weeks later, the NRC reported another act of sabotage along the Lagos–Ibadan Standard Gauge line, where unidentified individuals vandalised key signalling equipment between Agege and Agbado stations. The damage included the removal of signal machine protectors and the severing of cables on a switch point. The corporation, however, assured that train operations on the route remained unaffected while investigations were ongoing.

Condemning the repeated attacks, the NRC described them as dangerous acts of sabotage that jeopardise both operations and passenger safety. Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the NRC, Dr. Kayode Opeifa, expressed concern over the growing trend, calling for stronger protection of critical national assets.

Passengers have also voiced growing unease. Airin Adeojo, a regular commuter at the Ebute-Meta train station, said the recent incidents have made him more fearful while travelling. “Before the latest accident, I wasn’t scared of train trips, but now I pray silently throughout the journey,” he said, urging authorities to overhaul the railway system.

Another passenger, Ms. Remi, acknowledged government efforts but urged greater investment in railway infrastructure. “The railways were once the safest means of transport. The government must urgently prioritise their rehabilitation,” she appealed.

Stakeholders continue to stress that the persistent vandalism and infrastructure decay threaten not just railway operations but also public confidence in the nation’s transport system.