The Oyo State Police Command has arrested three suspected vandals and recovered stolen railway materials valued at N200 million, in what officials described as part of ongoing efforts to protect critical national infrastructure.

According to the Command’s spokesperson, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, the arrests followed intelligence and reports of theft within the state. Operatives from Durbar Division moved in and apprehended the suspects, with vandalised cables and other suspected stolen items recovered.

Photos released showed the suspects in custody and cut rail tracks loaded in a truck, concealed with bags a method vandals often use to evade detection.

Rail track vandalism has become a major concern nationwide. In a separate operation in April, the Force Intelligence Department Special Tactical Squad arrested 2 suspects in Nasarawa with about 60 tonnes of vandalised tracks and sleepers worth over N400m being moved from Bauchi to Ilorin. Police said the truck driver was paid N2.5m to transport the items, and operatives rejected a N100m bribe offered to compromise the case.

The Nigerian Railway Corporation has repeatedly warned that vandalism threatens train operations, endangers lives, and wastes billions in government investment. The NRC has commended police for recent arrests and recoveries in Yobe and other states.

Authorities say investigations are ongoing to track other members of the syndicate, including receivers of stolen railway materials. The IGP, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, commended the operatives for their professionalism and integrity.

SOURCE: Punch News.