Borno Government and Residents Protest as Train Coaches Are Evacuated

• Residents of Railway Terminus in Maiduguri protest the removal of train coaches, demanding their return and addressing encroachment and criminal activities
• Borno’s Deputy Governor vows to halt evacuation and return already removed train coaches, stressing their importance for trans-Saharan trade

Residents of the Railway Terminus in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State, have taken to the streets in protest against the evacuation of train coaches from their area. This demonstration comes in response to the removal of these railway facilities. Borno’s Deputy Governor, Umar Usman Kadufur, addressed the protesters, expressing the state government’s solidarity with their concerns and vowing to prevent the facilities from being relocated out of Maiduguri.

Kadufur emphasized the vital role that railway services play in Borno, a state uniquely bordering Niger, Chad, and Cameroon. He stated that these services are crucial for enhancing trans-Saharan trade and the region’s connectivity with neighbouring countries. In light of this, the Borno State Government is not only halting the evacuation of the train coaches. Still, it is also actively working to return coaches who have already been removed from Maiduguri.

Protesters, carrying placards with various inscriptions, voiced their demands, including “Return our railway service,” “We want our Railway coaches back,” and “No to evacuation of Railway facilities.” In addition to their concerns about the train coaches, they called on the state government to address the encroachment on railway Terminus land and shut down gala clubs operating in the area, which they believe contribute to criminal activities.

There have been conflicting reports regarding the removal of the train coaches. Initial reports suggested that the police arrested six individuals for the theft of train coaches in Maiduguri. However, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) clarified that this was not a case of theft, as they had received official communication regarding railway officials’ evacuation of the coaches.

The train coaches have been loaded onto four heavy carriers (trailers) under police guard. However, it is worth noting that the tires on these carriers appear to be deflated. The situation remains fluid, and the protests underscore the importance of clear communication and transparency to avoid public unrest.