The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has revealed that at least 20 individuals were arrested in 2025 for vandalising railway infrastructure across the country, as efforts to protect critical rail assets intensify.
The disclosure was made by the Chief Public Relations Officer of the NRC, Callistus Unyimadu, who highlighted the role of the Railway Police Command in tackling vandalism along rail corridors nationwide.
According to Unyimadu, cases of railway vandalism fall strictly under the jurisdiction of the Railway Police Command once they occur anywhere within the national rail network.
He noted that the number of arrests often depends on how well cases are reported and documented, stressing that poor follow-up sometimes affects prosecution outcomes.
“If such incidents are properly reported and documented, they are taken to court, prosecuted, and offenders are charged. However, some cases do not get adequate follow-up,” he explained.
Despite these challenges, Unyimadu confirmed that about 20 suspects were successfully arrested within the last year based on officially recorded cases.
He further emphasized that offenders found guilty face full prosecution under the law, with convictions leading to jail terms.
Related News:
Multiple Passengers Injured in Abuja–Kaduna Train Accident
Tragedy as train crushes man to death in Lagos
“Once proven, offenders are convicted and sentenced. There is a current case in court, and we expect a jail sentence upon conclusion,” he added.
The NRC reiterated its zero-tolerance stance on railway vandalism, warning that anyone caught tampering with rail infrastructure will face strict legal consequences.
Recent incidents underscore ongoing enforcement efforts. In January 2026, operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) intercepted a truck in Bauchi State transporting vandalised railway tracks concealed beneath bags of chicken feed, leading to the arrest of five suspects.
Similarly, in March 2026, a suspected vandal identified as Bashiru Hafeez was apprehended at the Mobolaji Johnson Train Station in Ebute-Metta, Lagos.
He was allegedly found with 15 pandrol clips believed to have been removed from a railway line.
The suspect has since been arraigned and remanded pending further hearing.
The NRC reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding railway infrastructure and ensuring that perpetrators are brought to justice as part of broader efforts to maintain the integrity and safety of Nigeria’s rail system.
About the Author
