A staff member of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), identified as Gift Eseeli, has been apprehended for allegedly stealing armoured signal cables from the Warri-Itakpe rail corridor.
The arrest was made on Thursday by operatives of the Man O’ War Railway Command, bringing to light yet another case of vandalism threatening public infrastructure.
According to a statement released by the NRC Acting Spokesman, Callistus Unyimadu, the suspect was caught at Rafa Yard, a location along the Warri-Itakpe Train Service (WITS) corridor.
The cable theft incident was intercepted before further damage could be done to the railway facilities.
“The management of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) wishes to inform members of the public that operatives of the Man O’ War Railway Command apprehended one Gift Eseeli (male, 38), an NRC employee, at Rafa Yard along the Warri-Itakpe Train Service (WITS) corridor for alleged cable theft,” the NRC spokesperson stated.
Moreover, preliminary investigations showed that several lengths of 50mm armoured signal cable had been removed from trackside installations.
Fortunately, all stolen cables were recovered intact and have since been handed over to the Nigerian Police Force for further investigation.
“Preliminary findings indicate that several lengths of 50mm armoured signal cable had been removed from the trackside installations before vigilant officers, led by Mr. Williams Agiake, intercepted the suspect.
The stolen items were recovered intact and handed over to the Nigerian Police Force, which has commenced a full investigation,” the statement added.
This act of sabotage has been described as not just criminal but as an attack on national infrastructure.
Dr. Kayode Opeifa, the Managing Director and CEO of the NRC, emphasized the government’s zero tolerance for any form of vandalism, especially by those trusted to protect public resources.
“The Managing Director/CEO, Dr. Kayode Opeifa, has always stated that: ‘Railway assets are national assets.
Acts of vandalism endanger passenger safety and sabotage the Renewed Hope infrastructure drive of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.’”
Furthermore, Dr. Opeifa noted that no individual or group, including staff members of the corporation, would be spared if found guilty of vandalism or theft.
He stated that the NRC will prosecute “any individual or group, including its workers, found culpable of vandalism without exception.”
The incident highlights the growing challenge of infrastructure vandalism in Nigeria, a problem that threatens ongoing government projects aimed at revitalizing the transport sector.
Meanwhile, authorities say efforts will be intensified to curb such activities, as the rail network plays a crucial role in national development.
