Railway vandals busted as Police recover ₦400M assets, reject ₦100M bribe

By Adebola Isimijola.

The Nigeria Police Force has recorded a major breakthrough in its sustained crackdown on critical national infrastructure vandalism, dismantling a railway theft syndicate and recovering assets valued at over ₦400 million.

The development was revealed in a press statement signed by the Force Public Relations Officer, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Anthony Okon Placid, PSC(+), NPM, and made available to journalists on Monday, 27th April 2026, across the country.

According to the statement, operatives of the Force Intelligence Department Special Tactical Squad (FID-STS) arrested two suspects — Chisom Goodnews (32) and Ahmed Adamu (22) — on April 9, 2026, in Akwanga, Nasarawa State, following credible intelligence on the movement of stolen railway materials.

The suspects were intercepted alongside a trailer truck conveying about 60 tonnes of vandalised railway tracks and sleepers, which had been concealed under sacks of groundnut shells in a bid to avoid detection.

Preliminary investigations showed that the consignment was being moved from Bauchi State to Ilorin, Kwara State, as part of a coordinated supply chain involving the illegal distribution of stolen railway infrastructure.

Further findings revealed that the driver of the truck was allegedly paid ₦2.5 million to convey the stolen materials across state boundaries.

A notable aspect of the operation was the attempted compromise of the investigation team, as operatives reportedly rejected a ₦100 million bribe offered to secure the release of the suspects and the seized exhibits.

The trailer used in transporting the vandalised materials has since been recovered, while investigations are ongoing to track down other members of the syndicate and identify the intended receivers of the stolen assets.

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, commended the operatives for what he described as “exceptional professionalism, courage, and integrity,” noting that their conduct reflects the core values of the Nigeria Police Force.

He reiterated the Force’s commitment to protecting critical national infrastructure and intensifying operations against economic saboteurs across the country.

The statement reaffirmed that efforts are ongoing to completely dismantle networks involved in railway vandalism and related crimes nationwide.