Two ex-air force officers arrested in Enugu for ‘vandalising rail tracks’

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) says it has arrested four suspects in Enugu for allegedly vandalising railway tracks.

Isaiah Taiwo, commander of 553 base services group, NAF, said the suspects were en route to Onitsha, Anambra state, to sell off the stolen goods when they were intercepted by the security agents.

The commander said the suspects would be charged for alleged conspiracy and theft of public property.

He said the items recovered included a truck-load of railway track lanes and accessories, one pump action gun, two live bullets, and a Scania truck with registration number APP 523 XS.

The suspects and the recovered items were handed over to the state police command on Monday at NAF Base, Enugu.

“On May 21, at about 00:52am, two suspects, Paul Obieze of 24 Ajayi street, opposite medical road, Benin city, and Nwankwo Onyedika, a security officer to Utamazi unit at Mburu-Anusi in Enugu state, were arrested,” he said.

“They were arrested around airport roundabout in Enugu by NAF personnel on internal security patrol with a truck-load of vandalised rail tracks belonging to the NRC.

“The two suspects were arrested alongside two dismissed NAF personnel who served as their escorts.

“Further interrogation revealed that they were en route to Onitsha, Anambra state, to sell off the stolen goods when their truck was intercepted.

“The suspects were subsequently detained at air provost wing of 553 base services group.”

The commander said NAF will continue to work with other security agencies to get rid of criminal elements in the society.

While receiving the suspects, Mohammad Aliyu, the state commissioner of police, commended the NAF internal security patrol team.

Aliyu, who was represented by Suleiman Jafaru, commander of the police commissioner’s monitoring unit, gave the assurance that due diligence and discreet investigation will be carried out on the matter.

“I give you the assurance that we will go to the interior and follow this matter painstakingly to track down other fleeing gang members of the suspects arrested already,’’ he said.