Police arrest three vandals, recover N200m stolen rail tracks in Oyo

Authorities in Oyo State, Nigeria, have apprehended three individuals suspected of involvement in a railway vandalism ring. The operation, which also led to the recovery of stolen rail tracks estimated to be worth N200 million, was a direct result of a tip from a vigilant member of the public.

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The Oyo State Police Command has recorded another significant operational success in its sustained campaign against economic sabotage and the vandalisation of critical national infrastructure with the arrest of three suspected members of a railway vandalism syndicate and the recovery of stolen rail tracks valued at approximately N200,000,000.00.

The suspects, identified as Waheed Ayinde, 54; Muhammed Sani, 27; and Hassan Ibrahim, 22, were intercepted in the Gambari, Orile-Igbon area of Oyo State. Preliminary investigations indicate that the railway tracks were illicitly removed from Niger State and transported into Oyo State, with Lagos as their intended final destination. A HOWO truck, registered in Cross River State, was allegedly used to transport the stolen materials.

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The breakthrough followed a timely tip-off from a vigilant member of the public.

The Oyo State Police Command described the arrest as a significant success in its ongoing campaign against economic sabotage and the destruction of critical national infrastructure. The police operatives, from the Command Monitoring Unit, acted swiftly on credible intelligence to intercept the suspects and the stolen goods before they could be moved further. The suspects are believed to have played distinct roles in the syndicate, including driving the truck, coordinating the operation, and acting as a temporary receiver.

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Acting on the credible intelligence, operatives of the Command Monitoring Unit swiftly mobilised to Gambari, Orile-Igbon area of Oyo State, where they intercepted the suspects on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, at about 1:45 p.m. before the stolen railway materials could be moved to their final destination.