RRS nabs five suspected vandals

Operatives of the Rapid Response Squad of the Lagos State Police Command have arrested five suspects for stealing 28 iron ballasts meant for rail lines in some parts of Lagos metropolis.

The five suspects, who said they are scrap metal dealers, were intercepted inside a Vanagon bus with the registration number JJJ 929 EL by the operatives at 1:15am on Friday in Agege, Lagos State.

The suspects are Hameed Atairu (25), Akeem Muritala (23), Lawal Muritala (25), Tunde Olatunji (27) and the driver of the bus, Sarafa Ishola (38).

The suspects in their statements to the police stated that an official of the Nigerian Railway Corporation sold the iron to them.

However, preliminary investigations by the police revealed that the iron ballast were stolen from where they were packed for use.

Further investigations revealed that the iron ballast were meant for the basement of rail lines.

The suspects, three of whom are ex-convicts, explained that they are scrap metal dealers, stressing that they raised N35,000 among themselves to pay for the iron ballast.

Commenting on the development, Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Olarinde Famous-Cole, confirmed the arrest of the five suspects.

Famous-Cole added that the suspects along with the exhibits recovered from them have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti for further investigation.