By Aisha Maikudi Abdulkadir
Suspected vandals targeting Nigeria’s railway infrastructure have been arrested in coordinated operations across Ilorin, Kano, and Gombe.
A statement by the NRC Managing Director, Dr. Kayode Opeifa, on Monday, said the arrests were made after series of reported thefts involving critical components of the railway network.
Items vandalised include fish plates, bolts, nuts, and steel sleepers — all of which are essential for keeping the tracks safe and functional.
One of the cases occurred on June 11 in Ilorin, Kwara State, when a staff member, Adesina Fabumi, discovered that 56 pieces of fish plates and fasteners had gone missing from a section of the track between kilometres 413 and 414 near Idi-Ose Village.
“These materials, vital to the integrity and safety of railway tracks, were removed and taken to unknown locations,” Opeifa explained.
A swift investigation led by Inspector Oniwara Babatunde resulted in the arrest of a suspect, Wasiu Musa from Ajia Village, the next day. During questioning, Musa reportedly confessed and named an accomplice, Abdullahi Salman, who is still on the run.
The investigation expanded, and on June 18, another man, Usman Bashir, was arrested. Authorities recovered dozens of stolen items from him, including 33 fish plates, 33 bolts and nuts, 80 AB & K fasteners, and 38 additional nuts. Inspector Oniwara Musa is now helping track down further suspects.
In a separate case in Gombe, officers intercepted a blue vehicle loaded with suspected stolen steel rail sleepers. Two people were arrested and are said to be cooperating with police.
Kano State also recorded a similar incident. On June 15, four suspects were arrested in Zakirai town, Gabasawa Local Government Area, for vandalizing a section of the rail line. The suspects — Mukhter Muhammed (30), Abdullahi Musa (21), Sa’idu Yushe’u (26), and Salisu Shuaibu (24) — were arraigned in court on June 19.
“They all pleaded guilty to the charges and have since been convicted,” Opeifa confirmed.
The NRC boss reiterated the corporation’s zero-tolerance stance on vandalism and issued a strong warning to those targeting public infrastructure.