Operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Nasarawa State Command, have arrested five suspected railway vandals and recovered cut rail tracks and other materials in the state.
The State Commandant, Brah Samson-Umoru, who spoke through the command’s Public Relations Officer, SC Jerry Victor, said the suspects were apprehended during a routine patrol following a credible tip-off from a vigilant community member in Lafia.
According to him, the command recorded a significant breakthrough in its efforts to protect critical national assets and infrastructure.
“The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has recorded a significant breakthrough in its sustained efforts to protect critical national assets and infrastructure, with the arrest of five notorious railway vandals and the recovery of cut rail tracks and other materials,” he said.
The suspects were identified as Ozzu Abagas, 45, described as the ring leader and a resident of Kogi-Ende, Barkin Abdullahi (BAD), Lafia Local Government Area; Joseph Allahnana, 29; Sunday Mailafiya, 28; Abubakar Suleiman, 46, a buyer from Akwanga Local Government Area; and Ismailia Sale, 33.
The command’s spokesperson said the suspects were caught in the act of vandalising railway infrastructure.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the syndicate specialises in dismantling railway components for sale, posing a serious threat to public safety and national economic development.
Describing the act as economic sabotage, the command warned criminal elements to desist from vandalising government infrastructure, adding that surveillance and patrol operations would be intensified across the 13 local government areas of the state.
The command also commended the professionalism and swift response of its personnel, as well as the patriotic effort of the community youth whose timely information led to the successful operation.
The Commandant urged members of the public to remain vigilant and continue providing useful information to security agencies, assuring that such information would be treated with utmost confidentiality.
He added that the suspects would be thoroughly investigated and charged to court upon conclusion of investigations.
He reiterated the command’s commitment to safeguarding critical national assets and infrastructure, including railway facilities, and ensuring the safety of lives and property across the state.
The gang leader, Ozzu Abagas, reportedly confessed to the crime and pleaded for mercy, promising not to engage in such acts again.
Items recovered from the suspects include 33 cut rail tracks, 11 joint bars, two gas cylinders, and numerous bolts and iron bars used in carrying out the illegal activity.
By Umar Muhammed
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