The Katsina State Police Command has arrested four men over alleged railway infrastructure vandalism after recovering 70 railway sleepers concealed in a vehicle intercepted during a stop and search operation.
The suspects were arrested at about 12:30 a.m. on October 11, 2026, along Kurfi–TsanniVillage Road, according to a statement issued by the command’s Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abubakar Sadiq.
Police operatives reportedly stopped a white J5 vehicle with registration number BAU 821 ZY. The vehicle was driven by 25-year-old Anas Abdullahi, who was travelling with three other occupants identified as Nasir Nuhu, Salisu Yusuf and Nuru Bala.
A search of the vehicle uncovered 70 railway sleepers hidden behind 17 bags of animal feed. Police suspect the materials were stolen and concealed to avoid detection while being transported.
Preliminary investigations reportedly showed that Nuhu confessed to receiving the railway sleepers from a man identified as Anas Moh’d, said to be from Bauchi State. The alleged supplier is currently at large, according to the police.
The recovered materials were reportedly intended for delivery to another man, identified as Umar Bashir, in Katsina. The command has not disclosed further details about the alleged origin of the railway sleepers or the extent of damage to railway infrastructure.
The four arrested suspects remain in police custody as investigations continue. Police said the vehicle, the 70 railway sleepers and the 17 bags of animal feed had been recovered and secured as exhibits.
The Commissioner of Police in Katsina State, CP Ali Umar Fage, reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting critical national infrastructure and tackling vandalism.
The case highlights the security concerns surrounding the theft and movement of railway materials, which are essential to the maintenance and operation of rail infrastructure. However, the allegations against the arrested men remain subject to investigation.
Police have not announced any charges or court proceedings against the suspects. Further investigations are expected to establish the circumstances surrounding the recovery and identify any other individuals who may have been involved.
Deborah Adeyefa
