Suspected vandals targeting railway infrastructure have been apprehended by operatives of the Nigerian Railway Police Command in Kwara, Kano and Gombe States.
The arrests were confirmed by the Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Dr Kayode Opeifa, in a statement issued on Monday in Lagos.
In Kwara State, a staff member at the Ilorin Railway Station, Mr Adesina Fabumi, reported the theft of 56 pieces of fish plates, bolts, and nuts between kilometres 413 and 414 near Idi-Ose Village on 11 June.
Subsequent police investigation led to the arrest of one Wasiu Musa of Ajia Village on 12 June. Musa reportedly confessed to the offence and identified another suspect, Abdullahi Salman, who is currently at large, as his accomplice.
In a related incident on 18 June, police arrested Usman Bashir and recovered 33 fish plates, 33 bolts and nuts, 80 AB & K fasteners, and 38 additional nuts in his possession.
In Gombe State, operatives intercepted a vehicle transporting stolen steel rail sleepers. Two individuals were taken into custody and are currently cooperating with investigators.
In Kano State, four suspects were arrested after a report of rail line vandalism in Zakirai town, Gabasawa Local Government Area. The individuals, Mukhter Muhammed (30), Abdullahi Musa (21), Sa’idu Yushe’u (26), and Salisu Shuaibu (24), were arraigned and convicted on 19 June after pleading guilty to the charges.
Dr Opeifa cautioned that the NRC will pursue full prosecution of all vandalism-related offences and reiterated the corporation’s commitment to safeguarding its infrastructure across the country.
