Rail Infrastructure Vandalism: Nigerian Railway Mgt Recounts Successes In Arrests, Prosecution Of Suspects

*Reiterates commitment to protecting assets

By; MATTHEW UKACHUNWA, Lagos

As security agencies continue to record more successes in the arrest and prosecution of railway infrastructure vandals, Managing Director of Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Dr. Kayode Opeifa, has reiterated commitment to protect fixed assets of the corporation.

“All acts of vandalism would be met with full legal force,” he warned.

Opeifa’s warning was expressed in a statement issued on Monday in which NRC gave an account of ongoing arrests and prosecution of alleged railway infrastructure thieves.

In the statement titled: “Vandalism: Kano Court Reserves Judgement to July 1, as Police Busts Other Attempts in Ilorin, Gombe,” NRC disclosed details of ongoing prosecution and crackdowns.

It highlighted that the Chief Magistrate Court No.9, Gyadi-Gyadi, Court Road, Kano has reserved judgment in a railway vandalism case involving four suspects to July 1, 2025.

“The accused, Mukhter Muhammed (30), Abdullahi Musa(21), Sa’idu Yushe’u (26) and Salisu Shuaibu (24) were arraigned on June 19 on charges of conspiracy, mischief and theft brought against them by the Railway Police Command, Kano,” the management of NRC said.

It said that according to police reports, the suspects were arrested on June 15, 2025, following a report of rail line vandalisation at Zakirai town in Gabasawa Local Government Area of Kano State, noting: “All four pleaded guilty to the charges and were accordingly convicted by the court.”

The court adjourned ruling on the case to July 1, 2025 to review recovered exhibits before delivering the final sentence.

In a related development, Railway Police in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, as well as Kano and Gombe States have equally reported the arrest of suspected vandals of critical railway infrastructure, including fish plates, bolts, nuts and steel sleepers from designated railway lines.

“On the 11th June 2025, a staff of the Railway Station, Ilorin, Mr. Adesina Fabumi, had reported to the Railway Police Command, that unknown thieves had removed 56 pieces of fish plates, bolt and nuts between kilometres 413 and 414 near ldi-Ose Village, Ilorin.

“The stolen materials which are essential for securing railway tracks were reportedly carted away to unknown destinations.

“Following investigation led by Inspector Oniwara Babatunde and his team, police arrested Wasiu Musa of Ajia Village on 12th June. The suspect confessed to the crime and implicated another accomplice, Abdullahi Salman, who is currently at large.

“On the 28th June, another suspect, Usman Bashir of You Area, Ilorin was apprehended and 33 pieces of fish plates, 33 pieces of bolts and nuts, 80 pieces of AB & K fasteners and 38 other nuts were recovered from him.

“Inspector Oniwara said Musa is currently assisting with ongoing investigation that wll lead to the arrest of hs accomplices.

“Also in Gombe, the Railway Police intercepted a blue vehicle loaded with suspected stolen steel rail sleepers. Two individuals were arrested in connection with the Gombe operation and are currently assisting with ongoing investigations,” NRC narrated in the statement.

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