Four NRC workers, others arrested for equipment theft

Four employees of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) have been arrested for the theft of rail equipment in the Oni-Iyarin-Owodotun area of Abeokuta, Ogun State.

The District Manager, West, NRC, Mrs. Angelique Ikwuka, made this known in Ibadan, on Tuesday, while speaking with journalists on the Federal Government’s commitment to deliver the ongoing rail project before the end of the year.

Ikwuka said the vandalism of the railway property occurred some few days ago in Abeokuta.

She said some vigilant youths, who were disturbed by a similar theft of railway equipment in the community in the past, had been keeping watch over the property to prevent another incident.

“The culprits were actually apprehended by youths of the Oni-Iyarin-Owodotun community. Unfortunately, some of our employees were part of the gang,” she stated.

Asked to name the NRC workers involved, Ikwuka was evasive because of the ongoing investigation and attempts to nab the fifth suspect, said to be a welder, who is currently at large.

While commending the efforts of the youth in the area for being proactive in alerting the police and facilitating the arrest of the suspects, Ikwuka enjoined other communities along the railway corridor to report cases of vandalism and apprehend anyone seen vandalising the railway property.

She vowed that the culprits and those indulging them within the system would be dealt with in accordance with the law so as to serve as a deterrent to others, who might be harbouring such an intention.

Ikwuka also informed the public that three months of free train services commenced on Tuesday at Laderin in Abeokuta to Iju, Lagos, on the standard gauge.

Credit: Punch