Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, has expressed his displeasure over the recent relocation of railway coaches from the state to other parts of Nigeria. The Governor, during a visit to the railway terminus in Maiduguri, the state capital, described the manner in which the coaches were moved as suspicious and unfair.
According to a statement by his media aide, Isa Gusau, Governor Zulum revealed that the state government was not informed about the movement of the coaches until residents intercepted and raised an alarm. He emphasized the need for transparent communication and stated that legal means would be pursued to ensure that infrastructures intended for the state are not transferred elsewhere.
The Governor highlighted that similar efforts were made approximately five months ago, when some rolling stocks were transported to other states without the knowledge of the security operatives or the Borno State Government. The recent incident, however, drew attention as concerned community members witnessed the movement of the rolling stocks from Maiduguri to undisclosed destinations.
Upon contacting the management of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, Governor Zulum was informed that the coaches were being relocated to Jos for a comprehensive overhaul before being dispatched elsewhere. Expressing his dissatisfaction, Governor Zulum criticized the Nigerian Railway Corporation for what he perceived as a crude pursuit of their decision to transfer the rail infrastructures.
In light of the community’s recent protests, the Governor urged calm and discouraged any form of vigilantism. He assured the residents that no rail infrastructures would be removed from the state without adhering to the rule of law.
