Troops nab 47 suspected rail track vandals in Kaduna
By John Ogunsemore
The Nigerian Army said troops of 1 Division Kaduna have intercepted and arrested 47 suspected rail track vandals while on routine patrol along Kakau Daji-Anguwan Ayaba on Wednesday, June 26.
In a statement, the Army said the suspects had loaded 2 trucks with the vandalised rail tracks before they were arrested.
The suspects revealed that they were employed by one Alhaji Babawo who is at large to load the vandalised rail tracks and off-load same in a nearby bush along the road.
Parading the suspects during profiling at 312 Artillery Regiment Kaduna, the Acting Commander 1 Division Provost Group, Lt.-Col. IY Rena stated that the suspects who are 47 in number were profiled to ascertain their level of involvement during preliminary investigation.
He stated that the suspects were also individually interviewed and cross-examined while efforts are in place to arrest the gang leader who is currently at large.
Rena revealed that, on visit to the crime scene, some of the vandalised rail tracks were found concealed in the nearby bush waiting to be evacuated by the criminal syndicates.
While handing over the suspects to the Authorities of Nigeria Railway Corporation Kaduna Station represented by the Divisional Crime Officer, the Army commander urged the relevant security agencies to make adequate arrangements and deliberate efforts to secure the rail tracks from further vandalisation.
In his remarks during the handing over of the suspects, the representative of the Nigeria Railway Corporation and Divisional Crime Officer, ASP Inuwa Dahiru commended the troops of the Nigerian Army for their proactiveness and collaboration with other security agencies in tackling the mirage of security challenges confronting the state.
He assured the Nigerian Army that all the 47 suspects would be thoroughly investigated before they are charged to court to serve as a deterrence to other criminally minded persons.
The General Officer Commanding, 1 Division Nigerian Army and Commander, Operation Whirl Punch, Maj.-Gen. MLD Saraso commended the troops for their professional conduct during and after the successful arrest of the suspects.
He also charged the troops to remain resilient and focused to bring all criminal elements in the division’s Operational Area of Responsibility to their knees.
