The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and troops of the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, Enugu, say they have arrested a six-man gang specialising in vandalising rail tracks in Enugu.

NSCDC spokesman in Enugu, Denny Manuel, stated on Thursday that the vandals were rounded up by joint operatives at Ubahu community in Nkanu East local government area.

He named the suspects as Zakari Ishaka (25); Amadu Danladi (40); Abdulkareem Haruna (19); Ousman Idris (19); Musa Hamza (23) and Arma Yau Magaji (42).

He added that the vandals were arrested on April 22.

“The suspects were arrested after a sustained surveillance and intelligence gathering. They were arrested while conveying vandalised railway slippers belonging to the Nigeria Railway Corporation, Eastern District, Enugu, in a truck with registration number BSA 189 XA,” he explained. “The suspects were arrested with the help of troops of the Nigerian Army following a tip-off by NSCDC intelligence officers.”

He added, “Items recovered from the suspects include some sizeable quantity of rail slippers and rail tracks cut to size and other railway materials and a truck.”

Mr Manuel noted that the suspects had been assisting in investigations to unravel other culprits and their sponsors.

He added that the NSCDC commandant in Enugu, Valentine Afrika, re-emphasised the resolve of the corps to deal decisively with those vandals tampering with social infrastructure.

“I am reminding members of the public that they play a crucial role in assisting security agencies with credible information on activities of criminal elements especially public utility vandals,” Mr Manuel quoted the commandant to have said. 

(NAN)