Operatives of the Man O’ War Railway Command on Thursday apprehended a staff member of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Gift Eseeli, for stealing several lengths of 50mm armoured signal cable along the Warri-Itakpe Train Service (WITS) corridor.
The NRC Acting Spokesman, Callistus Unyimadu, who confirmed the arrest in a statement, said the stolen items were recovered intact and handed over to the Nigerian Police Force for proper investigation.
“The management of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) wishes to inform members of the public that operatives of the Man O’ War Railway Command apprehended one Gift Eseeli (male, 38), an NRC employee, at Rafa Yard along the Warri-Itakpe Train Service (WITS) corridor for alleged cable theft,” the statement read.
“Preliminary findings indicate that several lengths of 50mm armoured signal cable had been removed from the trackside installations before vigilant officers, led by Mr. Williams Agiake, intercepted the suspect. The stolen items were recovered intact and handed over to the Nigerian Police Force, which has commenced a full investigation.
“The Managing Director/CEO, Dr. Kayode Opeifa, has always stated that: ‘Railway assets are national assets. Acts of vandalism endanger passenger safety and sabotage the Renewed Hope infrastructure drive of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.”
He said the NRC will prosecute any individual or group, including its workers, found culpable of vandalism without exception.
