The Police Command in Oyo State has arrested three suspects in connection with vandalising and stealing of railway tracks worth N200 million in the state.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the command, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, made this known in a statement on Wednesday in Ibadan.

Ayanlade said the arrest of the suspects and recovery of the railway tracks were made possible by the timely tip-off from a vigilant member of the public.

He said operatives of the command Monitoring Unit acted on the credible intelligence and swiftly mobilised to Gambari, Orile-Igbon area of the state where the suspects were intercepted on Tuesday around 1:45 p.m.

“The suspects were arrested in connection with the illegal movement of vandalised railway tracks.

“Recovered during the operation were vandalised rail tracks estimated to be worth N200 million and a HOWO truck bearing registration number CAL 972 XA (Cross River), allegedly used in conveying the stolen items,” Ayanlade said.

He added that preliminary investigation showed that the railway tracks were unlawfully removed from Niger and transported into the state as part of a coordinated criminal operation, with Lagos State serving as the intended final destination.

According to him, further findings established that the arrested suspects played distinct roles in the syndicate.

“They include the contracted driver responsible for conveying the stolen railway tracks to Lagos state, a co-conspirator involved in coordinating the operation, and a temporary receiver who provides a storage location in Ogbomoso pending the clandestine movement of the stolen materials to their final destination.”

Ayanlade also said that efforts were currently ongoing to apprehend other members of the syndicate who were currently at large, adding that this was with a view to getting additional exhibits connected with the operation.

The PPRO quoted the state Commissioner of Police, Abimbola Olugbenga, as commending the vigilant member of the public for providing timely information which led to the success of the operation.

Olugbenga reaffirmed the command’s unwavering commitment to protecting critical national infrastructure.

He emphasised that the command would not allow the state to become a safe haven for criminals and other perpetrators of economic sabotage.