Police reject N100m bribe, arrest two railway vandals

The Nigeria Police Force says its operatives rejected a N100m bribe and foiled an attempt to vandalise railway infrastructure, arresting two suspects.

The operatives also recovered materials valued at over N400m.

In a statement on Monday, the Force Public Relations Officer, Anthony Placid, said operatives of the Force Intelligence Department Special Tactical Squad carried out the arrest.

He said the suspects, identified as Chisom Goodnews, 32, and Ahmed Adamu, 22, were arrested on April 9, 2026, at about 6:00pm in Akwanga, Nasarawa State, following credible intelligence.

Placid said the operation led to the interception of a trailer truck conveying about 60 tonnes of vandalised railway tracks and sleepers.

“The Nigeria Police Force, through the FID-STS, has recorded a major breakthrough with the arrest of two suspects involved in the large-scale vandalisation of critical national infrastructure and the recovery of railway materials valued at over N400,000,000.

“The suspects, Chisom Goodnews (32) and Ahmed Adamu (22), were arrested on 9th April 2026 at about 1800hrs in Akwanga, Nasarawa State, following credible intelligence,” the statement partly read.

He said preliminary investigations revealed that the truck driver was contracted for N2.5m to transport the items, while further findings indicated an organised supply chain linked to receivers of stolen railway infrastructure.

During the investigation, Placid said operatives rejected an offer of N100m allegedly made to compromise the process and secure the release of the suspects and exhibits.

“Preliminary investigations revealed that the driver of the truck was contracted for the sum of N2,500,000 to transport the vandalised materials, while further findings indicate an organised supply chain linked to receivers of such stolen infrastructure.

“During the investigation, the operatives involved reportedly rejected an offer of N100,000,000 made in a bid to compromise the process and secure the release of the suspects and exhibits,” he said.

The police said the trailer truck used in conveying the materials had been recovered, adding that efforts were ongoing to arrest other members of the syndicate, including the intended receivers, and recover additional exhibits.

Placid said the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, commended the operatives for their conduct.

He said the officers demonstrated “courage, discipline, and incorruptibility,” noting that their actions reflected the core values of the Force.