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Civil Group Accuses Transport Minister of Selling Railway Assets as Scraps, Petitions National Assembly

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Civil Group Accuses Transport Minister

A leading civil society organisation, the Alliance for Public Asset Protection and Accountability (APAPA), has submitted a formal petition to the National Assembly, alleging a systemic and deliberate mismanagement of Nigeria’s railway assets under the leadership of the Minister of Transport, Sa’idu Ahmed Alkali.

Alleged Scheme to Sell Railway Assets as Scrap

In a detailed petition addressed to both chambers of the National Assembly, APAPA accused the Minister of colluding with officials of the Railway Property Management Company Limited (RPMCL) and unnamed consultants to unlawfully dispose of functioning railway assets, falsely classified as scrap.

The group claimed that critical infrastructure — including locomotives and signalling systems acquired less than a decade ago — are being sold at undervalued prices to foreign buyers, primarily Chinese firms, without proper oversight or transparency.

Lack of Competitive Process and Oversight

According to the petition, the consultants responsible for the asset sales were “handpicked” without any form of competitive bidding. APAPA insisted that these actors are unknown within the public procurement space and are allegedly facilitating “hurried sales” of key assets for personal gain.

“These so-called consultants are not known to the public service. They were handpicked… to oversee the hurried sales of functioning railway equipment labelled falsely as scrap,” the petition reads.

Deplorable State of Rail Services

The group further criticised the deteriorating condition of Nigeria’s railway system since the minister’s appointment, highlighting frequent breakdowns, lack of investment in safety, and an overall regression in service delivery.

“In the last one year, the rail sector has regressed significantly. Trains now break down mid-journey… No new coaches. No investment in safety. No innovation. Only secret asset sales and dubious scrap deals,” APAPA stated.

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Calls for Minister’s Dismissal and Public Inquiry

Describing the alleged actions as a “brazen betrayal of public trust,” APAPA called for the immediate dismissal of Minister Sa’idu Ahmed Alkali and demanded a full-scale investigation into the operations of the RPMCL and the consultants involved.

The group also questioned the whereabouts of proceeds from the asset disposals, stating that no evidence has been provided to show remittances into government coffers.

Violation of Procurement Regulations

APAPA accused the Ministry of Transport of bypassing key regulatory agencies, including the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) and the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), in contravention of statutory procedures for public asset disposal.

Ultimatum to Lawmakers and Threat of Mass Action

In its petition, APAPA urged the Senate and House of Representatives to act swiftly to prevent further loss of national assets, warning that it would mobilise civil society and launch a nationwide campaign if no action is taken within 30 days.

“This government cannot afford to look the other way while national assets are looted in broad daylight,” said Dr. Aminu Garba, President of APAPA.

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1 Comment

1 Comment

  1. IT

    June 5, 2025 at 7:18 am

    It’s deeply concerning to see such serious allegations of mismanagement and corruption in Nigeria’s railway sector. The claims that functioning assets are being sold as scrap to foreign buyers without transparency are alarming. If true, this represents a significant betrayal of public trust and a setback for the country’s infrastructure development. The lack of competitive bidding and the involvement of unknown consultants raise serious red flags about accountability. The deteriorating state of the railway system, with frequent breakdowns and no investment in safety, is unacceptable. How can such critical infrastructure be allowed to regress so drastically? What steps will be taken to ensure that those responsible are held accountable and that the railway system is restored to proper functioning? This situation demands immediate action and transparency to rebuild public confidence.

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Politics

ANAMBRA SECURITY: POLICE CONFIRMS FOILED ARMED ATTACK ON EZINIFITE COMMUNITY, ONE SUSPECT NEUTRALIZED AND FIREARM RECOVERED

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The Anambra State Police Command confirms an attempted armed attack on Ezinifite Community, Nnewi South Local Government Area in the early hours of today, 27th October 2025. Fortunately, the attack was successfully repelled following a swift response and resistance from combined security team of the Police and Agunechamba Vigilante Operatives in the area.

The Joint Security Team engaged the assailants in a gunfire exchange, leading to the neutralization of one (1) of the attackers, while the others escaped into a surrounding bush with suspected bullet injuries. The operatives also recovered one pump-action gun from
the scene as well as the body of the neutralized suspect.

Meanwhile, offensive and intelligence follow-up operations are currently ongoing in collaboration with Police tactical teams to track and apprehend the fleeing suspects.

The Commissioner of Police, Anambra State, CP Ikioye Orutugu fwc minps PhD, commended the vigilance and bravery of the local security architecture and assured residents that the Command remains fully committed to securing all communities, especially as the November 8, 2025 Governorship Election approaches.

SP Tochukwu Ikenga
Police Public Relations Officer
Anambra State Police Command, Awka

27th October 2025

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ANAMBRA GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION SECURITY ADVOCACY: CP ORUTUGU ADDRESSES SECURITY STAKEHOLDERS IN IHIALA AND ORAIFITE AREA COMMANDS

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The Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command, CP Ikioye Orutugu, fwc minps PhD, today 27th October 2025, continued his statewide strategic engagements on election patriotism and community security awareness with visits to Ihiala Area Command and Oraifite Division.

According to the press statement signed by SP Tochukwu Ikenga
Police Public Relations Officer
Anambra State Police Command, Awka “During the engagements, the CP interacted with some stakeholders including the President General of Ihiala Community, Commander Agunechemba Vigilante Group, the Youth Chairman, and a representative of the Local Government Chairman and officers and men of the Police Command operating in the respective jurisdictions.

In Ihiala Area Command, CP Orutugu expressed optimism about the security structural deficit, having come to an end. He commended the good people of Ihiala and Oraifite for their courage, civic responsibility, and continued cooperation with security agencies, noting that the communities have demonstrated resilience and collective resolve by refusing to allow criminal elements to influence political participation or disrupt community stability. While in Oraifite, the CP commended the cooperation of other security agencies towards the Police in the area and reiterated that the Police cannot take the glory alone for the safety in the area. He also stated that all local Vigilantes of any kind are not part of the election security.

He reaffirmed that the Police remains committed to safeguarding lives and property and ensuring that the forthcoming November 8, 2025, Governorship Election is conducted in a peaceful, secure and credible atmosphere. He emphasized that patriotism during elections means rejecting intimidation, resisting fear-based narratives and participating freely in the democratic process.

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While addressing officers and men under the Area Commands, the CP charged them to maintain discipline, professionalism, courtesy and high operational standards, stressing that policing must remain people-centered, intelligence-driven and rooted in the protection of human rights.

The Commissioner further assured that the Joint Security framework remains active and will be reinforced and expanded across communities to prevent criminal infiltration and sustain peace before, during, and after the election.

The Command calls on Ndi Anambra to remain law-abiding, vigilant and proactive in providing credible information that can support ongoing security operations. Anyone with useful information is encouraged to report to the nearest police station or through the Command’s emergency contact lines on 112 or 07039194332 for a prompt response.

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Fayose Declares Oyebanji’s Re-Election Certain, Dismisses ‘Fake Prophecies’

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Former Ekiti Governor Backs Incumbent Ahead of 2026 Polls

Former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, has declared that Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s re-election bid is guaranteed, dismissing what he described as “fake prophecies” predicting otherwise.

Fayose, who spoke on the state’s political climate, said Oyebanji’s victory at the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary and the forthcoming governorship election would be determined by performance, not “psychological predictions” made by some clerics.

Oyebanji’s Achievements ‘Speak for Themselves’

Highlighting the governor’s track record, Fayose cited several achievements under Oyebanji’s administration, including:

  • Reconnection of intra-state road networks
  • Restoration of electricity in previously abandoned communities
  • Job creation and youth engagement programmes

According to Fayose, these tangible results reflect Oyebanji’s commitment to development and have restored the dignity of Omoluabi — a cultural value highly regarded in Ekiti State.

Prophecies ‘Cannot Alter the Will of the People’

The former governor criticized clerics making political predictions, stressing that such prophecies often seek to manipulate public opinion rather than provide genuine spiritual guidance.

“Prophecies are meant to reveal mysteries, not the obvious,” Fayose said. “If these predictions were real, they should have come before the 2022 election, not now when the outcome is already evident.”‘Performance, Not Predictions, Will Secure Victory’

Fayose insisted that Oyebanji’s chances at the polls are based on visible achievements and public trust, not divine declarations.

“As Ekiti prepares for the next phase of its development, it’s clear that Governor Oyebanji is the people’s choice. His leadership has earned him support beyond party lines, and in the end, it’s his performance that will be remembered not empty prophecies,” he added.

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