The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has confirmed the arrest of two suspected vandals responsible for clips and fasteners removal that caused the recent derailment of the Warri-Itakpe Train Service (WITS).
The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the NRC, Dr Kayode Opeifa, confirmed this in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Lagos.
Opeifa noted that the train derailment happened near Agbor in Delta State.
“The suspects, two male, aged 27 and 39 were apprehended around kilometre 208 before Abraka, Delta State, on Nov. 4, by operatives of the NRC Police Command, in collaboration with local security agents.
“Preliminary investigations and their confessional statements revealed their direct involvement in tampering with vital components of the rail track,” he said.
Opeifa commended the railway police command and community security networks for their swift and coordinated response.
He stated that the suspects would face the full wrath of the government for sabotaging national infrastructure and endangering public safety.
Opeifa reiterated the corporation’s zero-tolerance policy on vandalism, describing the act as economic sabotage and a serious threat to national security.
He emphasised NRC’s continued collaboration with security agencies to ensure that all individuals involved in such acts are apprehended and prosecuted to serve as a deterrent.
In a related development, Opeifa also confirmed that the re-railment and full restoration of the affected portion of the Warri-Itakpe track were completed on Nov. 2
“Following a thorough safety inspection and operational audit, normal train operations on the corridor will resume on Nov. 5,” he said.
The managing director reassured passengers and stakeholders that NRC remained committed to maintaining the highest standards of safety and reliability.
He added that the corporation would intensify surveillance, deploying advanced security technologies, and strengthen community engagement along all railway corridors.
“The corporation appreciates the patience and understanding of passengers and the general public during the brief suspension period,” he said