By Mercy Adi
The Nigeria Police Force has said its operatives have foiled a railway vandalism syndicate and recovered materials valued at over ₦400m, while rejecting a ₦100m bribe allegedly offered to compromise the operation.
The police disclosed that the breakthrough was achieved by operatives of the Force Intelligence Department Special Tactical Squad in an operation carried out in Akwanga.
According to a statement issued on Sunday by the Force Public Relations Officer, Anthony Okon Placid, two suspects — Chisom Goodnews, 32, and Ahmed Adamu, 22 — were arrested on April 9, 2026, at about 6pm following credible intelligence.
Placid said the operatives intercepted a trailer conveying about 60 tonnes of vandalised railway tracks and sleepers.
“The materials were concealed under sacks of groundnut shells in a deliberate attempt to evade detection while being transported from Bauchi State to Ilorin,” he said.
He added that preliminary investigations revealed that the truck driver was contracted for ₦2.5m to transport the vandalised items, noting that findings also pointed to an organised supply chain linked to receivers of stolen railway infrastructure.
The police spokesman further disclosed that during the investigation, operatives rejected a ₦100m bribe offered in a bid to secure the release of the suspects and the exhibits.
“The trailer truck used in conveying the items has been recovered, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend other members of the syndicate, including the intended receivers,” he said.
Reacting, the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, commended the operatives for their “courage, discipline and incorruptibility.”
He said, “Such acts exemplify the core values of the Force and reinforce public confidence in policing.”
The police reiterated its commitment to protecting critical national infrastructure and curbing acts of vandalism across the country.