NRC commends police for arrest, recovery of railway materials in Yobe

The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has commended the Inspector-General of Police and the Yobe State Police Command for the arrest of five suspected railway vandals and the recovery of 85 railway steel sleepers allegedly removed from railway infrastructure in the state. The commendation followed a successful operation carried out by operatives of the Yobe State […]

The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has commended the Inspector-General of Police and the Yobe State Police Command for the arrest of five suspected railway vandals and the recovery of 85 railway steel sleepers allegedly removed from railway infrastructure in the state.

The commendation followed a successful operation carried out by operatives of the Yobe State Police Command in collaboration with members of the Hunters Group, which led to the arrest of the suspects and the recovery of the vandalised railway materials. A Mitsubishi Canter vehicle allegedly used in transporting the stolen sleepers was also recovered during the operation.

Reacting to the development, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, Dr. Kayode Opeifa, described the operation as a major breakthrough in the ongoing fight against the vandalisation of railway infrastructure across the country.

He noted that the swift action of the Police and other security operatives underscores the commitment of security agencies to protecting critical national assets and safeguarding investments made by the Federal Government in the railway sector.

According to him, railway infrastructure, including tracks, steel sleepers, signalling facilities and other installations, remains vital to the nation’s transportation system, economic growth and security architecture.

Dr. Opeifa warned that acts of vandalism pose serious threats to railway operations, endanger lives, disrupt services and undermine national development efforts. He therefore called on host communities and members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities around railway facilities.

The NRC boss further assured the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies of the Corporation’s continued support through intelligence sharing, surveillance and collaborative efforts aimed at protecting railway corridors nationwide.

He also urged scrap dealers, transporters and other stakeholders to desist from dealing in railway materials, warning that anyone found in possession of stolen railway assets would be investigated and prosecuted in accordance with the law.

The Corporation reiterated its commitment to working closely with security agencies, traditional institutions and community stakeholders to curb railway vandalism and ensure the protection of railway infrastructure for the benefit of all Nigerians.

The arrest is the latest in a series of efforts by security agencies and the Nigerian Railway Corporation to tackle the menace of railway vandalism, which has remained a major challenge to rail operations and infrastructure development across the country.