Special Intelligence Squad from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has arrested 12 suspected railway vandals and impounded two trucks carrying large quantities of stolen railway sleepers.

This was disclosed by the Corps’ national spokesperson, Olusola Odumosu, in a statement on Sunday, July 24.

He said: “Following intelligence report, the first five arrests were made when suspected vandals were loading the vandalised and stolen railway sleepers at a bush in Nasarawa.

“A long open-body Man Diesel trailer already loaded with over 500 pieces of the vandalised railway sleepers, alleged to be owned by the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) was also concealed under sacks of groundnut dust.”

“In another operation at NYSC orientation camp, Keffi-Abuja Expressway, three suspected vandals were also arrested while conveying large quantities of vandalised railway sleepers concealed with rice chaff inside a J5 Boxer Bus.

“Another four vandals were arrested by the CG’s SIS while loading railway sleepers into an already filled illegal warehouse in Kaduna.

“Acting on a tip-off, the squad immediately swung into action and succeeded in intercepting one white long open-body truck fully loaded with large quantities of vandalised rail track irons, covered with a blue trampoline.

“All the arrested suspects and the exhibits are subject to a preliminary investigation by the Corps, which will help to make further arrests and subsequent prosecution to reduce the rate of critical infrastructural vandalism in the affected territories.”

In addition, the NSCDC has urged citizens to continue providing credible and useful information that would assist in apprehending vandals and criminals nationwide.

The agency appreciates the public's cooperation and pledges to continue combating all forms of economic sabotage and crimes.

It also urges the public to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious activity to the authorities.