Following a recent incident where suspected villagers attacked a moving train with stones along the Abuja–Kaduna corridor, the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has expressed fresh concern over rising assaults on its rail operations.
The incident reportedly occurred around kilometre 177 on the Abuja–Kaduna route, where unidentified individuals gathered near the tracks and threw stones at a passing train, damaging the windscreen of the lead locomotive.
In a statement, NRC spokesperson Callistus Unyimadu described the situation as alarming, noting that similar attacks have been recorded in the past two weeks, particularly around Gidan Busa and Sarki Gora villages in Kakau District, Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
According to the corporation, about six such incidents have been documented within this short period, posing serious risks to passenger safety, railway personnel, and critical infrastructure.
The NRC stressed that these repeated attacks are not only dangerous but also amount to economic sabotage, with the potential to disrupt national transportation and undermine government investments in the railway sector.
Despite the challenges, train services have continued under heightened security measures, with railway staff maintaining strict vigilance to ensure passenger safety.
The corporation added that it is working closely with security agencies, community leaders, and other stakeholders to enhance surveillance, identify those responsible, and bring perpetrators to justice.
Residents living along railway corridors were urged to support efforts to protect railway infrastructure by reporting suspicious activities and discouraging acts of vandalism.
The NRC warned that if urgent and collective action is not taken, continued attacks could significantly disrupt rail services across the corridor.
