Police arrests 21 suspects over rail line vandalism in Niger

Twenty-one suspects have been arrested by police operatives in Niger State over railway vandalism, following a tip off.

The suspects were said to have carried out the act at Esheti – Elegi community of Kataeregi in Katcha Local Government Area.

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While parading the suspects at the police command headquarters in Minna, the command’s public relations officer (PPRO), DSP Wasiu A. Abiodun, said police operatives at Kataeregi division acted on a tip off to effect the arrest.

He added that 17 out of the 21 suspects were arrested on March 22, 2021 when police patrol team was mobilized to the scene and intercepted the three trucks loaded with rail tracks.

Abiodun noted that the three drivers – Salisu Bashiru, Shehu Garba and Yunusa Suleiman, all of Kodo village in Minna, were also arrested.

The leader of the team, one Mohammad Usman, said they were contracted by one Alhaji Idris from Kaduna, a scrap dealer to get the tracks for him.

Two other suspects were arrested on March 17, 2021 in a truck loaded with 80 pieces of rail slippers along Kataeregi-Minna road.

The PPRO said the cases are under investigation and the suspects would soon be arraigned under miscellaneous offences act.

He thereafter assured that the command will continue to ensure the protection of lives and properties in the state.