The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Bauchi State Command, has apprehended three suspects and a truck over alleged theft of railway sleepers.

The Commandant, Oloyede Oyerinde, said at a news conference on Tuesday in Bauchi that the railway sleepers were concealed under bags of rice offal.

Mr Oyerinde said that the suspects were apprehended at about 3.00a.m on June 20 during a routine patrol by NSCDC personnel.

He said, “Our investigations reveal that the railway sleepers were removed from Gital Village in the Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area of Bauchi State and were being taken to Ilorin.’’

The NSCDC official said that the intercepted truck, with registration number: FGE 663XB, was cleverly disguised to evade security checks.

He further said that efforts were ongoing to apprehend the mastermind of the crime who was currently at large.

Mr Oyerinde said that the corps recovered 371 pieces of vandalised railway sleepers, 210 bags of rice offal, and an articulated vehicle.

He commended personnel of the command for their gallantry and commitment towards safeguarding critical national infrastructure.

The commandant urged members of the public to be vigilant and collaborate with the corps by availing it with credible intelligence to fight crime.

(NAN)