The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) has confirmed the arrest of its staff member identified as Gift Eseeli, 38, for alleged cable theft at Rafa Yard along the Warri-Itakpe Train Service (WITS) corridor.

The employee was arrested by operatives of Man O’ war Railway Command.

According to the NRC spokesman, Callistus Unyimadu, preliminary findings indicate that several lengths of 50mm armoured signal cable had been removed from the track side installations before vigilant officers led by Mr williams Agiake intercepted the suspect.

The stolen items were recovered intact and handed over to the Nigeria Police Force which has commenced a full investigation.

The Managing Director/CEO, Dr kayode Opeifa, in the statement condemned the development and reiterated that those found culpable of destroying national assets would face the full wrath of the law.

“Railway assets are national assets. Acts of vandalism endanger passengers safety and sabotaged the Renewed Hope infrastructure drive of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.”

He said the NRC would prosecute any individual or group including workers found culpable of vandalism without exceptions.

Daily Trust reports that vandalism of railway assets has become a recurring decimal. On the same Warri-Itakpe Train, vandalism of the track disrupted operations about two weeks ago before the vandalised section was fixed.