The Bauchi State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has uncovered a sophisticated attempt to transport vandalised railway components across state lines, leading to the arrest of five suspects. Acting on credible intelligence on 12 January 2026, operatives positioned along the Miri–Jos Road intercepted a long-vehicle truck near Gital town in the Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area. The vehicle, registered as MDB 360 XA, was reportedly destined for the eastern region of Nigeria.

Upon inspection, officers discovered 80 pieces of railway tracks and five pairs of slippers hidden beneath bags of chicken feed, a method of concealment intended to bypass security checkpoints. The command’s spokesperson, Saminu Yusuf, confirmed the details of the seizure, stating that “At the receipt of intelligence on January 12, 2026, NSCDC personnel intercepted a truck conveying vandalised railway tracks, disguised with bags of chicken feed and slippers”. Alongside the truck and its illicit cargo, the NSCDC recovered a Lexus RX 330 with registration number BWR 60 DN.

The five individuals currently in custody represent a wide geographical spread, identified as Adam Kolo from Borno, Samuel Musa from Yobe, Solomon Jankaro from Niger, and Emmanuel Collins and Sunday David, both from Enugu. Security forces are now focused on apprehending the alleged mastermind, a man identified only as Mr John, and the truck driver, Auwal, both of whom escaped the initial operation and remain at large.

In a separate enforcement action on 14 January 2026, the command arrested Nura Abdullahi in the Bauchi metropolis for his alleged involvement in a motorcycle theft syndicate. Abdullahi reportedly admitted to purchasing stolen motorcycles and selling eight units to a contact in Plateau State for an estimated ₦2.02 million. Efforts to dismantle the remainder of the syndicate and recover the stolen property are currently underway.

State Commandant Oloyede Nelson has commended the personnel for their dedication to the protection of critical national infrastructure. He issued a stern warning to those targeting public assets, asserting that the NSCDC remains resolved to rid the state of vandals. Nelson further appealed to the public for assistance, urging residents near public infrastructure “to provide timely and credible information to the NSCDC or other security agencies whenever they notice suspicious movements”.