Two men have confessed to stealing and selling railway electrical cable for N90,000, following their arrest by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force, Railway Command, attached to the Abuja–Kaduna Train Service (AKTS).

The suspects — Ibrahim Abdullahi, 22, of Hayi, Rigasa, and Sani Ibrahim, 24, of Layi Turaki, Rigasa — were arrested at the Rigasa Train Station in Kaduna after a section of cable wire was discovered missing from one of the Nigerian Railway Corporation’s (NRC) cranes stationed at the facility.

This is coming amidst the seemingly unending vandalism of railway equipment and facilities.

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Their arrest, which took place on Friday, October 10, 2025, followed quick action by a patrol team led by ASP Abdullahi Bwajin, an Administrative Officer at Rigasa.

It was learnt that the team tracked the suspects after noticing that the cable had been cut and removed.

During interrogation, the duo admitted to the crime and revealed that they sold the stolen cable to one Musa, popularly called “Musa Major”, for N90,000.

The NRC, in a statement confirming the incident, stated that the suspects confessed that each of them received N30,000, while another accomplice, Abdulwahab Yakubu of Rigasa, is currently on the run.

The statement described the rising incidents of vandalism across the Abuja, Lagos, Kaduna, and Warri–Itakpe rail corridors as a serious threat to safe and efficient train operations.

The Corporation added that efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspect and recover the stolen materials.

It also commended the Railway Command for its professionalism and swift response.

Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the NRC, Dr. Kayode Opeifa, expressed concern over the increasing vandalisation of railway electrical and signalling infrastructure, describing them as Critical National Assets.

Daily Trust reports that the NRC had earlier last week uncovered the vandalism of electrical and signaling equipment in Lagos corridor.

However, Opeifa warned that henceforth, such acts would be treated as economic sabotage with severe legal consequences, adding that the Corporation is working closely with security agencies to strengthen protection of railway assets.

He also urged residents of communities hosting railway facilities to support efforts to safeguard public infrastructure, noting that the rail system plays a vital role in promoting national development and improving livelihoods.