The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has detained four suspects for vandalism and stealing railway infrastructure worth multi-million naira within Eha-Amufu community in Enugu State.
The Commandant of NSCDC Enugu State Command, Mr Cyprian Otoibhi, told newsmen in a briefing on Thursday that hundreds of sliced railway lines and slippers worth multi-million naira were carefully concealed under several bags of sawdust.
Otoibhi said that the four suspects were involved in the illegal excavation of railway lines and slippers in Eha-Amufu community in Isi-Uzo Local Government Area of the state on Oct. 22 at about 7:15a.m. According to him, a patrol team from the Isi-Uzo Division of the NSCDC, acting on credible intelligence from an informant, intercepted a truck fully loaded with stolen railway slippers along the Amkpe-Ogbete-Mgbuji Road within Eha-Amufu community.
“The driver, his conductor and three other suspects found in the truck were arrested in connection with the crime. After placing the suspects under surveillance, the NSCDC swiftly moved in to intercept the truck shortly after it left Ogbete axis of Eha-Amufu community.
“Unfortunately, while the driver managed to escape custody, the remaining suspects were apprehended and are currently undergoing questioning at the NSCDC Enugu State Command Headquarters.
“The suspects apprehended are: Nafiu Sani, 25; Isa Bakoji, 24; Abdulsalam Zakari,19; and Bala Abubakar, 30,” he said. The commandant said that items recovered included: one blue coloured DAF truck; hundreds of sliced railway lines and slippers worth multi-million naira carefully concealed under several bags of sawdust. He commended the swift action of the patrol team and reaffirmed the Corps’ dedication to combating all forms of vandalism and sabotage of public infrastructure.
“The protection of critical national infrastructure, such as railway lines, is a priority for the NSCDC. We will continue to work relentlessly to ensure that such criminal activities are curtailed and those responsible are brought to justice. I urge members of the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities around public assets.
“Investigations are ongoing, and efforts are being made to apprehend the escaped driver and other local collaborator in the crime. The arrested individuals will be charged to court upon the conclusion of the investigation,” he assured.
Otoibhi urged members of the public to cooperate with security agencies by providing timely and actionable information that would aid in the fight against vandalism and other crimes in the state.
