In a statement issued on Sunday, the corporation’s spokesperson, Callistus Unyimadu, revealed that the suspect was found in possession of railway components believed to have been illegally removed from the rail corridor.

He stated that the items recovered from the suspect included iron rail fasteners, which are essential for maintaining the stability and safety of railway tracks. According to him, tampering with such components could lead to serious operational hazards.

Unyimadu explained that the arrest was carried out on Thursday, March 26, 2026, by security operatives attached to the railway system during a routine patrol around the Lagos network.

He further noted that the suspect has since been processed through the appropriate legal channels and handed over for investigation and prosecution.

Unyimadu said, “Following his arrest, the suspect was immediately handed over to the Nigerian Railway Police Command for investigation and prosecution.

“Subsequently, he was arraigned before a competent court in Lagos, where he was remanded in custody at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre, pending further hearing. The case has been adjourned to April 24, 2026.”

The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the NRC, Kayode Opeifa, reaffirmed the corporation’s strict stance against vandalism, describing such acts as economic sabotage that endangers both lives and critical infrastructure.

He praised the security personnel involved in the arrest for their alertness and quick response, adding that the corporation will continue to work with relevant security agencies to clamp down on illegal activities targeting railway assets.

Opeifa also cautioned that individuals or groups involved in the theft or destruction of railway property would face the full consequences of the law.

The corporation urged members of the public to remain observant and report any suspicious behavior around railway corridors, stressing that the railway system remains a vital national asset that requires collective protection.

It further assured passengers and stakeholders of its continued commitment to maintaining safe, secure, and efficient rail services across the country.nt further incidents and protect national infrastructure.

According to a communique from the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), this gesture is to enable Nigerians to travel and celebrate Christmas.

The spokesman for the corporation, Yakub Mahmood, said passengers trains on both standard and narrow gauge lines, which include Abuja to Kaduna, Lagos to Ibadan, Warri to Itakpe, Kano to Lagos, Minna to Kaduna, Abba to Port Harcourt routes are now all free from today Friday 24th December 2021 to Tuesday 4th January 2022 inclusive.

The NRC, however, noted that all boarding tickets due process by “valued customers must be complied with but not paid, while COVID-19 protocols also must be strictly observed on board”.

While wishing all Nigerians a happy Christmas and prosperous New Year, the corporation appealed to them to use the Federal Government’s kind gesture to pray for the country.

The workers announced the suspension on Friday, a day after they had commenced the strike and shut down passenger and cargo train services of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC).

In Abuja the nation’s capital, prior to calling off the strike, workers in Idu had locked the station and displayed various placards in protest.

Aggrieved workers were also seen at the Mobolaji Johnson Train Station in Ebute-Metta in Lagos, with placards, lamenting poor welfare and poor salary.

Train service at the Professor Wole Soyinka railway station in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital was equally paralysed because of the industrial action.

The railway terminus was deserted as workers abandoned their duty posts.

No passenger was also seen around the passengers’ lounge areas as they were under lock and key.

The NRC employees under the aegis of the Nigerian Union of Railway Workers had on Wednesday vowed to halt train operations nationwide including services on the popular Lagos-Ibadan, Abuja-Kaduna, and Warri-Itakpe routes.

But after separate meetings with the Nigeria Railway Corporation Board in Abuja and other stakeholders in Lagos on Friday, they called off the industrial action.

Details of the agreement reached are, however, yet to be known.

ChannelsTV