TheCable

Troops of the 4 special forces of the Nigerian army have arrested three suspected rail track vandals at Kwarra community of Keana LGA in Nasarawa.

Joseph Afolasade, acting deputy director of public relations of the command, on Monday, told journalists at a press briefing that the suspects were arrested during a routine patrol on August 5.

According to Afolashade, the suspects alleged that they were deceived by their sponsors, who are on the run, adding that they were arrested with a large quantity of rail tracks loaded in one 18-tyre truck with registration number DED 364 YC.

He said preliminary investigations showed that one Chibuki Akubilo, their driver, was contacted to convey the vandalised rail tracks to Ilorin, Kwara state, for N1.6 million.

He added that Hillary Nzan, the commander of the special forces, had approved that the suspects be handed over to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) for further investigation.

“The suspects were arrested with a large quantity of rail tracks loaded in one 18-tyre truck with registration number DED 364 YC,” Afolasade said.

On his part, Jerry Victor, the spokesperson of the NSCDC, said the corps is going to launch an investigation to arrest other members of the syndicate who are on the run.

“Usually, this type of crime is being committed by a syndicate,” Victor added.

On June 30, the troops arrested 12 suspected rail track vandals in Angwan Yara, Keana LGA of Nasarawa.

The command’s spokesperson had said the suspects were arrested with a large amount of rail tracks loaded in two trucks.

He added that the suspects offered the troops a N5 million bribe – which was rejected.