Dr Ahmed Abubakar Audi, NSCDC CG

The Mining Team of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps intercepted a trailer loaded with railway slippers on June 20 at Missu axis, Bauchi State.

The slippers were hidden beneath sacks of sawdust, raising suspicion of deliberate concealment and intent to vandalise public infrastructure.

Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation, Dr Kayode Opeifa, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday.

The statement was issued by the Deputy Director, Public Relations, at the NRC, Mr Yakub Mahmood.

Opeifa confirmed that three suspects were arrested and that the vehicle and stolen items are now in NSCDC custody for further investigation.

“This is the biggest heist in recent times. The NRC Police Command confronted economic saboteurs targeting railway assets nationwide,” he said.

He added that the Nigerian Railway Police and NSCDC have made several arrests, with materials recovered across Bauchi, Kano, Kwara and Gombe states.

Opeifa reiterated the corporation’s firm stance against vandalism of railway infrastructure.

“This arrest reflects our zero tolerance for railway vandalism.

“We will pursue every culprit threatening the future of rail transport in Nigeria,” he said.

(NAN)