May 13, (THEWILL) — The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has recorded a major breakthrough in the protection of critical national infrastructure, following the interception of suspected railway vandals and the recovery of a large quantity of stolen railway sleepers along the Bauchi-Kano Road.
A statement signed on Wednesday by the Corps Public Relations Officer, Afolabi Babawale, disclosed that the operation, carried out by the Commandant General’s Special Intelligence Squad (CG’s SIS), led to the arrest of two suspects allegedly involved in the vandalism and illegal transportation of infrastructure belonging to the Nigerian Railway Corporation.
According to the Corps, the successful operation followed a direct marching order issued by the Commandant General of the NSCDC, Ahmed Abubakar Audi, who recently deployed the Special Intelligence Squad to Bauchi State to dismantle criminal syndicates sabotaging railway infrastructure across the region.
The deployment came after concerns were raised by the Bauchi State Government over the activities of unscrupulous individuals allegedly disguising themselves as legitimate contractors approved by the Federal Government to remove railway materials from the Bauchi-Gombe corridor.
Acting on credible intelligence regarding the movement of vandalised railway components from Tafawa-Balewa Local Government Area of Bauchi State, operatives of the CG’s SIS intercepted a Peugeot Boxer vehicle with registration number KMC-366-TE along the Bauchi-Kano Road.
A search conducted on the vehicle revealed a large consignment of suspected vandalised railway sleepers reportedly being transported to an undisclosed destination in Kano State.
The NSCDC disclosed that two suspects were arrested at the scene. They were identified as 65-year-old Alzuma Yakubu, the driver of the vehicle, and 32-year-old Ismail Muhammad, who allegedly claimed ownership of the recovered materials.
Both suspects, alongside the intercepted vehicle and the recovered railway infrastructure, have since been taken into custody for further investigation.
The Corps described the operation as a direct outcome of the proactive leadership and renewed commitment of the NSCDC to safeguarding Critical National Assets and Infrastructure across the country.
The Special Intelligence Squad, operating under the tactical command of Apollos Dandaura, was specifically mandated to halt what authorities described as the systematic destruction and illegal removal of railway infrastructure within the Bauchi-Gombe axis.
Speaking on the development, the Squad Commander confirmed that the suspects were currently assisting investigators with useful information to uncover a wider criminal network involved in railway vandalism and illegal scrap trading.
Investigators are also said to be tracking secret warehouses allegedly used for stockpiling stolen railway materials before their transportation across state boundaries.
The NSCDC reiterated its determination to sustain aggressive intelligence-driven operations against vandals and economic saboteurs threatening national infrastructure and public investments.
The Corps further warned vandals, illegal scrap dealers and other criminal elements that the Bauchi-Gombe corridor would no longer serve as a safe haven for illegal activities targeting railway assets and other government infrastructure.
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