Troops from the 4 Special Forces of the Nigerian Army have arrested three suspects in connection with rail track vandalism in Kwarra community, Keana Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.

The troops intercepted the suspects during a routine patrol on August 5, 2023.

The suspects were arrested with a large quantity of rail tracks loaded in an 18-tire truck.

The suspects claim they were deceived by their sponsors, who are still at large.

The Army is working to identify and locate the sponsors of the vandalism.

According to the preliminary investigation, the driver of the truck, Chibuki Akubilo, was contacted to transport the vandalised rail tracks to Ilorin, Kwara State, for N1.6 million.

Upon receiving approval from the Commander of the Special Forces, Maj. Gen. Hillary Nzan, the suspects were handed over to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps for further investigation and prosecution.

The NSCDC's Public Relations Officer, Jerry Victor, expressed appreciation for the Army's collaboration in addressing insecurity in the state.

NSCDC's Public Relations Officer, Jerry Victor, said that this type of crime is usually committed by a syndicate, and that the investigation would continue to arrest other members of the group for prosecution.

The driver of the truck, Chibuki Akubilo, told reporters that he was contacted by a man named Charles to transport the items to Ilorin.

He said he was not aware that the items were stolen rail tracks. He pleaded for forgiveness and said he was tricked into committing the crime.

He said he would never be involved in such activities again.