Four arrested in Katsina with 70 stolen railway sleepers hidden in vehicle

The Katsina State Police Command has detained four individuals on charges of criminal conspiracy, vandalism, and unlawful possession of stolen property. The arrests were made following the recovery of 70 railway sleepers that were concealed within a vehicle intercepted by law enforcement officers. The suspects were apprehended at approximately 12:30 a.m. on October 11, 2026, during a routine stop-and-search operation conducted by police operatives along the Kurfi–Tsanni Village Road. The vehicle involved in the incident was a white J5 with the registration number BAU 821 ZY.

According to a statement released on Sunday by the Command Public Relations Officer, DSP Abubakar Sadiq, the vehicle was being driven by a 25-year-old man named Anas Abdullahi. Three other individuals, identified as Nasir Nuhu, Salisu Yusuf, and Nuru Bala, were present with him. During a thorough search of the vehicle, officers discovered the 70 railway sleepers hidden behind 17 bags of animal feed. Investigators believe the bags were used as a cover to evade detection of the stolen infrastructure materials. All recovered items, including the operational vehicle, the sleepers, and the animal feed, have been secured as exhibits for the investigation.

Background

Initial inquiries into the matter showed that suspect Nasir Nuhu admitted to obtaining the railway sleepers from Anas Moh’d, a resident of Bauchi State. Anas Moh’d is currently at large and remains a target for police apprehension. According to the report, the stolen goods were purportedly meant for transport to Umar Bashir, who resides in Katsina. Katsina State Police Commissioner Ali Umar Fage stressed the force's dedication to safeguarding essential national assets and fighting against destructive behavior. He called on citizens to share accurate and immediate intelligence to help law enforcement swiftly address potential criminals.

Why it matters

The theft and vandalism of railway infrastructure pose significant risks to the safety and efficiency of Nigeria’s rail network. The recovery of 70 sleepers highlights the scale of the illicit trade in railway materials, which can compromise track integrity and lead to potential accidents. The police have stated that efforts are ongoing to establish the exact origin of the vandalised tracks and to apprehend the fleeing suspects. This incident is part of a broader pattern of railway vandalism across the country, with similar arrests reported in other states such as Ogun and Kano, where stolen railway clips and infrastructure components have been intercepted. The protection of these assets is considered vital for the stability of national transportation systems.

What happens next

The four arrested suspects remain in police custody while investigations continue. Law enforcement agencies are actively working to locate Anas Moh’d from Bauchi State and to determine the full extent of the network involved in the theft. The police have called for public cooperation to provide leads that may help in identifying other individuals involved in the vandalism. The case is expected to proceed through the legal system once the investigation is complete, with the recovered items serving as key evidence in the prosecution of the suspects for criminal conspiracy and unlawful possession of stolen property.