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Tag: NRC

  • FG begins reconstruction of Eastern rail line corridor – NRC

    FG begins reconstruction of Eastern rail line corridor – NRC

    The Nigerian Railway Corporation says the Federal Government has begun reconstruction and rehabilitation of the Eastern railway corridor.

    The Railway District Manager, Eastern District, Enugu, Mr Victor Adamu, stated this while responding to a national survey on abandonment of railway lines in the country, in Enugu on Wednesday.

    Adamu said that the rehabilitation and reconstruction of the narrow gauge tracks had commenced from Port Harcourt, Rivers State, to Aba, in Abia State.

    According to him, the narrow gauge traversed the eastern district, from Port Harcourt to Maiduguri, Borno State and other parts of Nigeria.

    “This district covers Enugu, Abia, Ebonyi, Rivers and part of Egbede in Benue State, which is our boundary with the north central district of about 110 kilometers.

    “I am very happy to state that the segment of the contract was handed over to NRC on Nov. 28, 2024.

    “We have our coaches that are running from Port Harcourt to Aba and back to Port Harcourt, five days in a week,” he explained.

    He acknowledged that there was a suspension of work from Aba in Umuahia down to Enugu.

    Adamu, however, said that the Federal Government is doing everything possible to ensure that the construction and rehabilitation on the remaining part of the contract commence soon.

    The district manager explained that, through the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu, work on the narrow gauge had resumed.

    “This is a project that the Southeast and other parts of the country will benefit from.

    “The Federal Government is doing a lot to see that the rail lines are working again.

    “Sometime in April, the Managing Director of NRC, Mr Kayode Opeifa, visited Enugu and we had some meaningful discussions with the governors of Abia and Enugu States.

    “I believe that the visit will really bring out a lot of things that are going to happen on this corridor,’’ he said.

    According to Adamu, there is a policy introduced by Tinubu’s administration that allows state governments to invest in railways.

    He disclosed that the Anambra, Abia and Enugu state governments were ready to key into the policy.

    “With this, I believe that very soon, we will start seeing the dividends from these policies,” Adamu said.

    He, however, described the activities of vandals as the biggest challenge to NRC, especially as it concerned their track materials and other facilities.

    According to him, in securing the railway infrastructure, NRC is working with the Nigeria Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, military and vigilante groups.

    Adamu said that through the collaboration of the NRC, police, military, and NSCDC, they made arrests of suspected vandals, and some of them were already facing trial.

    “There are some suspected vandals who were arrested in Imo, Rivers and Enugu states.

    “We are doing these because these facilities are meant for Nigerians, and we are expected to own them as Nigerians. This will go a long way in keeping them intact.

    “Our officials are still going around to see that these facilities are protected,’’ the district manager said.

    The railway operations stopped in Enugu for over two decades.

  • Aba-PH rail line operational, safe – NRC official

    Aba-PH rail line operational, safe – NRC official

    The Public Relations Officer, Aba Office of the Nigeria Railway Corporation, Mr Israel Uwalekwu, says the Aba-Port Harcourt rail line has been revamped by the Federal Government and has since become fully operational.

    Uwalekwu said this in an interview with NAN in Aba on Monday, while speaking on the corporation’s efforts to ensure the safety of its property.

    He said that activities on the rail line were suspended some time ago to enable the corporation to carry out rehabilitation work.

    He said that the work was done by the Federal Ministry of Works to revive  railway transportation in the area and  ease the challenges faced by commuters.

    “Now the rail line has been rehabilitated and activities have resumed and people are now travelling daily by rail to Port-Harcourt.

    “The security on the narrow guage rail line is superb but there were some cases of vandalism at Ogwe-Imo River-Elelenwo corridor by hoodlums in the past.

    “We have not recorded any case of kidnapping because the train shuttles with armed police escorts,” Uwalekwu said.

  • NSCDC intercepts stolen railway slippers in Bauchi

    NSCDC intercepts stolen railway slippers in Bauchi

    The Mining Team of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) intercepted a trailer loaded with railway slippers on 20 June at Missu axis, Bauchi State.

    The slippers were hidden beneath sacks of sawdust, raising suspicion of deliberate concealment and intent to vandalise public infrastructure.

    Dr Kayode Opeifa, Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday.

    The statement was issued by Mr Yakub Mahmood, Deputy Director, Public Relations, at the NRC.

    Opeifa confirmed that three suspects were arrested and that the vehicle and stolen items are now in NSCDC custody for further investigation.

    “This is the biggest heist in recent times. The NRC Police Command confronted economic saboteurs targeting railway assets nationwide,” he said.

    He added that the Nigerian Railway Police and NSCDC have made several arrests, with materials recovered across Bauchi, Kano, Kwara and Gombe states.

    Opeifa reiterated the corporation’s firm stance against vandalism of railway infrastructure.

    “This arrest reflects our zero tolerance for railway vandalism,” he said. “We will pursue every culprit threatening the future of rail transport in Nigeria.”

  • NRC boss inspects Abuja-Kaduna train facilities

    NRC boss inspects Abuja-Kaduna train facilities

    Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Dr Kayode Opeifa, has conducted an unannounced inspection of Idu Railway Station in Abuja.

    The visit aimed to assess the condition of coaches and station facilities, particularly in response to growing public concerns regarding train services on the Abuja-Kaduna route.

    In a statement issued on Saturday in Lagos, Opeifa said the inspection was prompted by complaints about the functionality of toilets on the Abuja-Kaduna Train Service (AKTS).

    The statement was signed by Mr Callistus Unyimadu, Acting Deputy Director of Public Affairs at the NRC.

    Opeifa said the visit followed the circulation of a report alleging that all toilets aboard AKTS trains were non-functional.

    Determined to verify the claims, Opeifa boarded the train and personally inspected toilets and other facilities across several coaches.

    He was accompanied by senior officials and technical staff, who provided updates on facility conditions, maintenance activities, and plans for future improvements.

    Opeifa reaffirmed the NRC’s commitment to passenger safety, cleanliness, and comfort across Nigeria’s railway network.

    “We take all feedback seriously—whether from the media or passengers—and we are committed to transparency and ongoing improvement.

    “Our visit today reflects our dedication to maintaining high standards of service for all passengers,” he said.

    On the condition of facilities, Opeifa commended the AKTS team and cleaning contractors for their work over the last five months.

    He noted that most toilets were now functional but acknowledged that further improvements were still needed.

    “I encourage passengers to continue using our customer complaint channels to report any issues for quick resolution,” he said.

    He also urged NRC staff to adopt more customer-friendly attitudes, enhancing the overall travel experience for passengers.

    Opeifa assured the public that any identified shortcomings would be swiftly addressed, with constructive feedback welcomed to support service enhancements.

  • NRC goes tough on illegal mining activities near rail tracks

    NRC goes tough on illegal mining activities near rail tracks

    The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has pledged to take serious actions against illegal mining activities causing damage to rail tracks.

    The Managing Director of the corporation, Mr Kayode Opeifa, gave the warning while speaking with newsmen on Wednesday in Jebba, on the sidelines of an inspection tour of rail tracks in Mokwa, Niger.

    The NRC boss described the actions by the miners as “economic saboteurs undermining the assets of the country”.

    “They dont know the implications of what they are doing. They are damaging the asset entrusted to the Nigeria Railway Corporation.

    “You can see the tracks that come from Jebba to Mokwa. It has affected the rail tracks by the time they go burrowing into the soil. This is an economic sabotage and the government will take appropriate actions,” he said.

    Opeifa called on the Niger  Government to deploy appropriate security personnel to stop the sabotage of the national resources.

  • NRC quashes rumours Warri-Itakpe train service is unsafe

    NRC quashes rumours Warri-Itakpe train service is unsafe

    The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has quashed rumours circulating on social media that rail transport service on the Warri-Itakpe Train Service (WITS) corridor is unsafe.

    A video had circulated and went viral on social media warning travellers to avoid train travel, particularly along Warri-Itakpe rail corridor.

    The message, accompanied by a short video showing removed rail clips on the Warri-Itakpe rail corridor, and falsely claimed that rail transport is currently unsafe, urging passengers to cancel travel plans.

    However, the Acting Deputy Director, Public Relations, NRC, Mr Callistus Unyimadu, has said rail transport on the WITS corridor is safe and operational.

    A statement released by Mr Unyimadu on Monday in Lagos reads: “The attention of the NRC has been drawn to a widely circulated social media massage warning the public to avoid train travel, particularly along Warri – Itakpe rail corridor.

    “The message, accompanied by a short video showing removed rail clips, falsely claims that rail transport is currently unsafe and urges passengers to cancel travel plans. We wish to categorically state that this information is misleading and unfounded,” he said.

    Unyimadu noted that the identified incident, which involved the temporary removal of some rail clips at a specific location on the corridor, was promptly detected during routine inspection and was immediately rectified by NRC maintenance team.

    “All necessary safety and operational protocols were strictly followed to ensure that no threat was posed to passengers or the integrity of the train operations.

    “Indeed, the Warri-Itakpe train (WITS) has successfully passed through affected section without any incident, further confirming the safety of the route,” he said.

    He pointed out that the NRC remained committed to the highest standards of safety and security in all its operations.

    He added that NRC tracks and rolling stock are under constant surveillance and maintenance and NRC personnel are fully equipped to address any issues that may arise in real time.

    “We, therefore, urge the public to disregard the viral message and continue to use our train services with full confidence.

    “Any attempt to spread fear or discourage the use of rail transport undermines the progress being made in the sector and should be condemned.

    “Train services on the Warri-Itakpe corridor and all other NRC corridors remain safe, reliable and fully operational.

    “For official update and travel advisory, we encourage passengers to rely only on verified NRC communication channels,” he said.

  • NRC extends special train services

    NRC extends special train services

    The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) will operate additional special train services across its major standard gauge corridors – Lagos-Ibadan and Abuja-Kaduna – on Monday and Tuesday, respectively.

    The Managing Director of NRC, Dr Kayode Opeifa, said this in a statement on Saturday in Lagos.

    The statement was signed by Mr Callistus Unyimadu, Acting Deputy Director Public Relations, NRC.

    Opeifa said that the extension was in response to exceptional surge in passengers turnout during  earlier special services in celebration of the Eid Kabir.

    ”This follows the success of earlier special trips on Thursday, June 5, which witnessed full bookings and high commuter traffic.

    ”The extra trips would ease return travel for festive travellers heading back to their destinations,” he said.

    According to Opeifa, the scheduled trips are: Monday – Lagos to Ibadan at 8.00 a.m., 1.55 p.m. and 4.00 p.m.,  and  Ibadan to Lagos at 8.00 a.m., 11.03 a.m. and 4.46 p.m.

    He said that NRC extended the Abuja-Kaduna train  services to Tuesday.

    ”To manage the continued high demand on the Abuja-Kaduna corridors, NRC will extend its full six-trips daily schedule originally applicable from Friday to Monday to Tuesday, June 11,” he said.

    He said that the schedule for Abuja to Kaduna services would be  7.45 a.m., 2.00 p.m. and 3.10 p.m. while  Kaduna to Abuja services would take place  at 7.00 a.m., 2.00 p.m. and 5.00 p.m.

    According to Opeifa, the gesture demonstrates the corporation’s responsiveness to public needs and dedication to delivering efficient, safe and timely rail services.

    “We are pleased with public response to our special services. These additional trips are part of our commitment to meeting the growing demand for rail mobility,” he said.

    NRC advised all passengers  to arrive early for security screening and boarding as train departure would be strictly on schedule. It also advised passengers to complete their online bookings in advance.

  • Sallah: NRC adds extra trip to Lagos-Ibadan train services

    Sallah: NRC adds extra trip to Lagos-Ibadan train services

    The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has added an extra trip to its Lagos-Ibadan Train Service (LITS) for Thursday in response to the increased passenger demand during festive period.

    The Managing Director of NRC, Dr Kayode Opeifa, stated this in a statement on Wednesday in Lagos. The statement was signed by the Acting Deputy Director, Public Relations, NRC, Mr Callistus Unyimadu.

    Opeifa said the timing from Lagos to Ibadan was: 8.00 a.m., 1.55 p.m., (additional trip) and 4.00 p.m. He added that Ibadan to Lagos was 8.00 a.m., 11.03 a.m., (additional trip) and 4.46 p.m. He said the 4.00 p.m. train would now depart at 4.46 p.m.)

    “Additionally, in the spirit of Eid-al-kabir and to ensure smooth travel for Muslim faithful and other passengers on the Warri-Itakpe corridor, the NRC will operate a special train service on June 5.

    “This day, June 5, would ordinarily be a non- operational day reserved for maintenance.

    “Consequently, routine maintenance activities originally scheduled for Thursday have been rescheduled to Sunday, June 8.

    “The normal Abuja – Kaduna will run as scheduled with additional coaches attached to it,” he said.

    Opeifa assured the public of its continued commitment to providing safe, efficient and customer-focused railway services.

  • NRC boss blows hot over endless sabotage of railway assets

    NRC boss blows hot over endless sabotage of railway assets

    Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Dr Kayode Opeifa has again flayed the continuous vandalism of railway assets across the country.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Dr Opeifa to have said railway assets are national assets and that act of vandalism endanger passengers safety.

    Opeifa said this following the arrest of an NRC employee identified as one 38-year-old Gift Eseeli for alleged cable theft at Rafa Yard along the Warri-Itakpe Train Service (WITS) corridor.

    The NRC confirmed Eseeli was apprehended by operatives of Man O’ war, Railway Command and that he has been handed over to the police.

    Preliminary findings indicated that several lengths of 50mm armoured signal cable had been removed from the track side installations before vigilant officers, led by one Mr Williams Agiake intercepted the suspect.

    The stolen items were recovered intact and handed over to the Nigerian Police Force (NPF), which has commenced a full investigation.

    “Railway assets are national assets. Act of vandalism endanger passengers safety and sabotaged the Renewed Hope infrastructure drive of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.

    “The NRC will prosecute any individual or group including workers found culpable of vandalism without exceptions,” the NRC boss said.

  • NRC worker returns lost wallet full of cash back to passenger

    NRC worker returns lost wallet full of cash back to passenger

    A staff of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) found the lost wallet in one of the coaches of the train operating the Warri-Itakpe Train Service (WITS) route.

    Upon the discovery, the staff identified as Mr Mubarak Lawal Dutsi, a Monitoring Officer at Uromi Train Station, swiftly handed the wallet to the Public Relations Officer (PRO).

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the PRO immediately initiated announcements and profiling to locate the owner.

    The lost wallet belonged to one Mr. Ogwu Charles Kanayo, who expressed deep gratitude to Mr. Dutsi and the NRC management for their professionalism and integrity.

    The wallet, it was gathered, contained N200,000.00 in cash, ATM cards, and other valuables.

    Meanwhile, Engr. Sanni Abdulganiyu, Coordinator of WITS, praised Mr. Dutsi for his exemplary conduct, while the NRC Director of Operations, Mr. Akin Osinowo, who was on an inspection visit, also commended the officer’s dedication.

    “This act of honesty underscores the NRC’s commitment to excellent service and reinforces public trust in the corporation.

    “The Warri-Itakpe Train Service continues to uphold values of integrity and kindness in its operations,” Mr. Osinowo was quoted to have said.

    TNG reports the incident occurred on May 12, 2025.