According to a statement by NSCDC spokesman Babawale Afolabi, the interception occurred as part of a specialised operation targeting rail line vandals.
The suspects, posing as scavengers, were apprehended on August 14, 2023, at approximately 10:30 AM by the CG’s Special Intelligence Squad.
The arrested individuals were identified as Anasi Ali, aged 27 and the truck driver, along with Yusuf Idris, 25; Hafis Idris, 18; and Nasiru Abdullahi, 28, who served as an escort.
The suspects had cleverly hidden the vandalised rail track irons within scrap iron materials, intending to transport them to undisclosed buyers.
The interception took place along the Lafia-Akwanga-Abuja expressway, specifically at Sabon Pagi, Lafia, Nasarawa State. Notably, the illicit cargo included a DAF truck, substantial quantities of offloaded scrap irons, and a significant cache of vandalised railway irons.
Further investigation has revealed that the stolen rail track irons and sleepers were initially loaded in Makurdi, Benue State. The intended destination was an undisclosed iron and steel company located in Ilorin, Kwara State.
The NSCDC's swift and vigilant response has prevented the illicit flow of vandalised rail track iron, which could have had detrimental consequences on the nation's railway infrastructure.
The apprehension of the suspects marks a significant step in curbing these destructive activities that undermine the integrity of the country's vital transportation network.
The authorities continue to prioritise efforts to combat such criminal endeavours and maintain the security and development of critical national assets.