The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) and the Department of State Services (DSS), FCT Command, have strengthened collaboration with host communities along the Abuja-Kaduna Train Service (AKTS) corridor as part of renewed efforts to curb vandalism, stone-throwing and other security threats affecting railway operations.
The stakeholders, at a security meeting involving NRC management, DSS officials and traditional rulers from communities along the corridor, agreed that protecting railway infrastructure must be treated as a shared responsibility involving government agencies, security personnel and residents of host communities.
The meeting, presided over by the Deputy Director, DSS FCT Command, Prince Abdulrasheed Dopemu, brought together village heads and representatives from Garam, Kuchiko, Gami, Ajigaram and other communities along the railway corridor.
Speaking at the meeting, the Manager of the Abuja-Kaduna Train Service, Mr. Mohammed Modibo, said the engagement became necessary following growing concerns over activities capable of undermining the safety of passengers and railway operations.
He identified some of the challenges as vandalism of railway infrastructure, theft of rail components, removal of track ballast stones, throwing of stones at moving trains and the placement of heavy objects on railway tracks.
According to him, the Abuja-Kaduna railway corridor serves passengers beyond Abuja and Kaduna, including commuters from more than 10 states, making its safety and continued operation important to a large number of Nigerians.
Modibo said the meeting was therefore convened to strengthen cooperation between the NRC, security agencies and communities along the corridor in developing sustainable solutions to the challenges.
He also conveyed the greetings of the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, Dr. Kayode Opeifa, to the DSS leadership and traditional rulers, thanking them for honouring the invitation and supporting efforts to safeguard the railway corridor.
In his remarks, Dopemu said security measures deployed along the railway corridor could not achieve the desired results without the active participation and cooperation of host communities.
He stressed the important role of traditional rulers in maintaining peace and security within their domains, urging them to remain vigilant and ensure that criminal elements do not find refuge within their communities.
The DSS Deputy Director noted that the Federal Government had invested billions of naira in railway infrastructure for the benefit of Nigerians and said protecting such facilities should not be left to the NRC and security agencies alone.
He urged community leaders and residents to promptly report suspicious movements and activities that could threaten railway infrastructure or passenger safety.
Dopemu particularly warned against vandalism, removal of railway components, placing objects on the tracks and throwing stones at moving trains, describing the acts as serious threats to public safety.
He said such activities could cause accidents, injuries, disruption of train services and loss of lives, warning that persons found culpable would face the full weight of the law.
He further urged traditional rulers to sensitise parents, youths and other residents to the dangers and legal consequences of interfering with railway infrastructure, stressing that offenders should not be excused simply because of their age.
The DSS official also called on host communities to take greater ownership of the protection of railway assets in their areas and cooperate with security agencies in identifying persons involved in acts of sabotage.
Speaking on behalf of the traditional rulers, the Village Head of Garam, Mr. Philip Sabo, commended the NRC and DSS for initiating the engagement.
Sabo assured the meeting that traditional rulers would intensify sensitisation within their communities and establish local committees to discourage vandalism and support the protection of railway infrastructure.
Also speaking, the Village Head of Kuchiko Community, Mr. Samuel Danlami, identified the activities of scrap metal dealers, popularly known as ‘pantakers’, as one of the factors encouraging the theft of railway materials.
He said vandals would be discouraged if there were no ready buyers for stolen railway components and called for stronger action against persons involved in the illegal scrap metal trade.
Danlami also proposed that the NRC consider engaging qualified persons from host communities in railway security arrangements through recognised traditional authorities, saying such a move could deepen community participation and intelligence gathering.
Responding, the AKTS Operations Manager, Mr. Abdulazeez Mohammed, said the proposal for greater involvement of members of host communities was already receiving consideration.
He added that measures introduced by the Corporation and security agencies had resulted in the arrest of some scrap metal dealers allegedly involved in purchasing stolen railway materials.
At the end of the meeting, the stakeholders resolved that village heads would establish community-based committees to support railway security and intensify public sensitisation against vandalism and other unlawful activities around the tracks.
Residents were also encouraged to promptly report suspicious activities to the DSS, NRC and other relevant security agencies, while the Corporation pledged to sustain collaboration with security agencies in arresting and prosecuting offenders.
The meeting also recommended the installation of warning signposts carrying messages such as ‘No Trespassing on Railway Tracks’ at strategic locations along the corridor.
Dopemu said similar stakeholder meetings would be held regularly to review emerging security challenges and strengthen cooperation among the NRC, security agencies and host communities.
The meeting ended with a renewed commitment by the NRC, DSS and traditional rulers to work collectively to safeguard the Abuja-Kaduna railway corridor, protect passengers and preserve critical railway infrastructure.