Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has attributed the prolonged NRC rail service suspension on its narrow-gauge lines in parts of Kaduna and Niger States to worsening insecurity, vandalism, and banditry along key routes.
Speaking in Minna, District Rail Superintendent for NRC Minna, Mrs. Blessing Okanezi, represented by Mr. John Otivere, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that some critical sections of the Lagos–Kano corridor remain inaccessible due to threats to the safety of staff, passengers, and infrastructure.
According to the NRC, stations in Gwada, Sarkin-Pawa, Kuchi, and Gaddani have been closed indefinitely, while train operations in communities such as Wushishi, Pakara, and Akere have been suspended since December 2022 due to attacks by bandits and vandals.
9am News report confirms that narrow gauge operations still continue between Lagos and Kano, but sections passing through parts of Kaduna and Niger States are considered too dangerous to operate.
“The locations mostly affected by insecurity were Gwada, Sarkin-Pawa to Kuchi in Niger, down to Gaddani towards Gwadada in Kaduna State. The train station in Gaddani, a border community between Niger and Kaduna, has been shut down for a long time now due to bandit activities,” Otivere said.
District Internal Auditor, Mr. Femi Adewakun, who spoke for the Railway District Manager, Alhaji Suleiman Obafun, said the NRC continues to inspect and maintain its narrow-gauge infrastructure despite the halt in operations.
“Regular inspections and maintenance of our locomotive engines and tracks are ongoing. However, services cannot resume where safety is not guaranteed,” Adewakun stated.
District Civil Engineer, Mr. Akin Atanda, highlighted the dual threat of vandalism and environmental damage, pointing to the Beji axis where track fastenings have been stolen and Mokwa where erosion has washed away entire sections of track.
Atanda said some perpetrators have been arrested and are serving jail terms but admitted that bandit occupation in certain communities has made access impossible for both repairs and security patrols.
The NRC has repeatedly called for urgent government intervention to secure rail corridors and protect critical railway infrastructure.
According to the NRC, the full resumption of services in the affected states will depend entirely on restoring safety for workers, passengers, and assets.
Residents of the affected communities have called for more decisive action by security agencies to reclaim occupied areas and enable economic activities to resume.
Stay tuned to 9am News Nigeria for more Breaking News, Business News, Sports updates And Entertainment Gists.
