Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State has raised serious concerns over the unauthorized removal of railway infrastructure in parts of Bauchi State after reportedly encountering contractors dismantling rail components during an inspection tour.

The incident, which occurred along the Alkaleri–Tafawa Balewa corridor, has sparked fears of possible vandalism or unauthorized activity involving critical national assets. According to sources, the governor observed workers removing railway sleepers and sections of track—key components essential to rail operations and future rehabilitation projects.

Governor Mohammed, visibly alarmed by the development, questioned the legality of the operation and demanded immediate clarification from relevant federal authorities. He emphasized that no such activity had been communicated to the state government, describing the situation as a potential case of “systematic dismantling” of public infrastructure. Railway systems in Nigeria fall under federal jurisdiction, typically managed by agencies such as the Nigerian Railway Corporation.

However, the Bauchi State government has expressed frustration over what it sees as a lack of transparency and coordination, especially in projects affecting local communities. The governor warned that unauthorized removal of railway materials could have far-reaching consequences, including disruption of transport networks, increased costs for future rail development, and economic losses.

He called for an urgent investigation to determine whether the contractors were duly authorized and to identify those responsible if any wrongdoing is established. The development comes at a time when Nigeria is pursuing major rail modernization efforts aimed at improving connectivity and boosting economic growth. Incidents like this, stakeholders say, could undermine those efforts if not properly addressed.

Authorities are yet to issue an official federal response as of the time of reporting, but the situation has intensified calls for tighter security and oversight of national infrastructure across the country.