By Chidi Ugwu
The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has recorded significant breakthroughs m the fight against railway infrastructure vandalism, with multiple arrests made m Katsina and Niger States in relation to recent incidents.
Eight suspects were apprehended on Friday, Ith July 2025, for vandalising railway track components along the Sheme—Gusau rail corridor m Katsina State. The suspects were caught m 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.
Three individuals were initially arrested and handed over to the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) at Faskari LGA Police Division. 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. The NRC is also exploring prosecution through the Civil Defence’s anti-vandalism legal unit.
Similarly. in Sarkin Pawa, Niger State, the NRC reports substantial progress in the investigation of another vandalism case. On Monday, 14th July 2025, three suspects were initially apprehended by local vigilantes and handed over to the Police Division. 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. 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 to recover the remaining materials.
