Nigerian Railway Corporation, NRC, has recorded significant breakthrough in the fight against the vandalisation of railway infrastructure with multiple arrests made in Katsina and Niger States.
Managing Director, NRC, Dr Kayode Opeifa, said this in a statement signed by the Chief Public Relations Officer, NRC, Mr Callistus Unyimadu, in Lagos at the weekend.
Opeifa said eight suspects were apprehended on July 11 for vandalising railway track components along Sheme-Gusau rail corridor in Katsina State.
“The suspects were caught in the act at Sheme village while attempting to cart away railway steel sleepers.
“Prior to their arrest, they had already loosened bolts and nuts from 310 steel sleepers between Kilometres 1087 and 1088,” he said.
He added that three individuals were initially arrested and handed over to the Divisional Police Officer at Faskari Local Government Area Police Division.
He said subsequent investigations led to the arrest of five more suspects, bringing the total number in custody to eight.
“Legal advice has been sought from the Ministry of Justice in Kaduna State and the suspects are to be arraigned before the Federal High Court, which has exclusive jurisdiction over such offences,
“In the interim, they remain in custody pending the completion of legal formalities. NRC is also exploring prosecution through the Civil Defence’s anti-vandalism legal unit,” he said.
Opeifa added that in Sarkin Pawa, Niger State, there was substantial progress in the investigation of another vandalism case, which happened on July 14.
He noted that three suspects were initially apprehended by local vigilantes and handed over to the police division of which regrettably, one of the vigilantes was stabbed by the suspects during the arrest.
“Further investigations revealed that the suspects had stolen over 1,200 pandrol clips and sold them to a receiver in Suleja, and so far, only 15 clips have been recovered.
“A police team subsequently raided Suleja and arrested three more suspects, including the alleged buyer of the stolen materials and another individual linked to the Sarkin Pawa vandalism.
“Investigators also uncovered that the Suleja-based receiver had transferred some of the stolen components to another suspect. Security agencies are currently working to locate and arrest all collaborators and recover the remaining materials,” he said.
He said the police team deployed to Sarkin Pawa Community also arrested an additional suspect, Yusuf Hussaini, who was lured from Suleja and is now in custody alongside the three initially arrested suspects in Minna.
He said four suspects were presented before the court on July 22 where it granted the prosecution’s application to remand them for seven days to aid the recovery of the stolen materials.
“NRC condemns these criminal acts in the strongest terms and reiterates its commitment to protect the integrity of railway infrastructure across the nation.
“These acts of sabotage not only endanger lives, but also disrupt national economic activities.
“The NRC management commends the swift action of the local communities, security operatives and NRC personnel who contributed to these successful arrests.
“The public is urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity along railway corridors. The management assures that all culprits will be brought to justice,” he said. NAN
