c The Oyo State Police Command has arrested three suspected members of a railway vandalism syndicate and recovered stolen railway tracks valued at about ₦200 million in Surulere Local Government Area of the state.
The operation was carried out following credible intelligence provided by a vigilant member of the public, prompting operatives of the Command Monitoring Unit to swiftly mobilise to the Gambari, Orile-Igbon area, where the suspects were intercepted at about 1:45 p.m. on Tuesday before the stolen materials could be moved out of the state.
The suspects were identified as 54-year-old Waheed Ayinde, 27-year-old Muhammed Sani, and 22-year-old Hassan Ibrahim.
Recovered from the operation were vandalised railway tracks estimated to be worth ₦200 million and a HOWO truck bearing registration number CAL 972 XA, allegedly used to transport the stolen materials.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the railway tracks were illegally removed from Niger State and transported into Oyo State as part of an organised criminal operation, with Lagos identified as the intended final destination.
Police investigations further showed that each suspect allegedly played a specific role in the syndicate. One reportedly served as the driver conveying the stolen tracks to Lagos, another coordinated the operation, while the third provided a temporary storage location in Ogbomoso before the materials were to be moved to their final destination.
The suspects have reportedly made useful confessional statements and are cooperating with investigators.
Police authorities said efforts are ongoing to track down other members of the syndicate still at large, recover additional stolen items linked to the operation, and conclude investigations ahead of prosecution.
The Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Abimbola, commended the resident whose timely information led to the successful operation, describing it as another example of the effectiveness of intelligence-led policing and collaboration between security agencies and members of the public.
He urged residents to continue providing credible and timely information to law enforcement agencies, assuring them that all actionable intelligence would receive prompt attention.
The police also reaffirmed their commitment to protecting critical national infrastructure and vowed to sustain efforts against economic sabotage and other criminal activities across Oyo State.
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