By Peter Omopo
Minna, July 11, 2025 — The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has announced the suspension of train services on several routes in Niger State, citing persistent insecurity, bandit attacks, and vandalism of rail infrastructure.
Speaking in Minna on behalf of the District Rail Superintendent, Mrs. Blessing Okanezi, NRC official Mr. John Otivere told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the corporation was compelled to halt operations on some corridors due to increasing threats to the safety of passengers and railway personnel.
“Our lines are not abandoned,” Otivere clarified. “Train services still originate from Lagos to Kano and back, but several sections of the narrow-gauge rail line remain inaccessible due to prevailing security challenges.”
He noted that key locations impacted by insecurity include Gwada, Sarkin-Pawa, Kuchi in Niger State, and Gaddani in Kaduna State — a border community whose train station has remained shut due to heightened bandit activity.
Other affected communities include Wushishi, Pakara, and Akere, where operations were last recorded in December 2022.
Also addressing the situation, Mr. Femi Adewakun, the District Internal Auditor for the NRC in Niger, speaking on behalf of Railway District Manager Alhaji Suleiman Obafun, emphasized the importance of the railway to Nigeria’s economic development.
Adewakun said the corporation continues routine maintenance of its locomotives and rail lines, despite the security setbacks.
He urged relevant authorities to prioritize the protection and rehabilitation of rail infrastructure, describing it as a vital national asset that must not be allowed to collapse under the weight of insecurity and vandalism.
