The Nigeria Police Railway Command on Friday paraded two suspects linked to the derailment of the Warri–Itakpe train service which occurred on Sunday, November 1, 2025.
The suspects — Mudansuru Mutari, 27, and Blorie Kokori, 39 — were arrested around Kilometer 208 before Abraka in Delta State on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, following a joint operation by the Railway Police Command and local security agents.
Speaking at the command headquarters in Ebute Metta, Lagos, the Commissioner of Police in charge of the Railway Command, CP Vungmoh S.M. Kwaimo, condemned the vandalism of rail infrastructure, describing it as an act of economic sabotage that would not be tolerated.
“We are going all out against the vandals because we have a responsibility to ensure safety of life and property in line with Section 4 of the Police Act,” Kwaimo said. He added that preliminary investigations and confessional statements linked the suspects directly to the removal of critical rail components which led to the derailment.
The Commissioner disclosed that some sponsors of railway vandalism had already been identified in Lagos and Agbor, assuring that they would also be pursued and brought to justice.
To strengthen security measures, Kwaimo announced an increase in the number of policemen attached to each coach in train operations nationwide. He expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu, the Inspector General of Police, and the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) for continuous support in the fight against vandalism.
Also speaking, President General of the Nigerian Union of Railwaymen, Comrade Innocent Luka Ajiji, praised the Railway Police Command under CP Kwaimo for its renewed effort in safeguarding rail assets, while commending NRC management led by Dr. Kayode Opeifa for improvements in rail operations despite persistent challenges.
In his remarks, NRC Managing Director, Dr. Kayode Opeifa, reiterated that railway infrastructure is a national asset, not scrap metal. He warned vandals and their sponsors to desist or face severe consequences, noting that technology and community participation would be deployed for enhanced track surveillance.
“Railway properties are national assets, stay away,” Opeifa said. “We are changing strategies to secure train tracks. We are deploying technology and working with local communities.”
The NRC boss confirmed that over 300 bolts and clips had been removed from the track, causing the derailment of two coaches. He said the re-railment was completed within 24 hours but safety checks necessitated a brief suspension of operations. Train services have since resumed on the corridor.
Opeifa, who cited funding as a major constraint to railway expansion, appealed to state governments to support rail infrastructure within their jurisdictions and to the National Assembly to include railway projects in constituency interventions.
He also disclosed ongoing discussions with the Rural Electrification Agency to power train stations and track areas up to 500 metres from stations nationwide.
The NRC helmsman thanked passengers for their patience and loyalty, saying their support “strengthened our resolve to remain committed and undeterred” despite setbacks caused by vandalism.