Three ex-convict, two others arrested for stealing iron ballasts
Three ex-convict and two others alleging to be scrap metal dealers, were on Friday arrested for stealing 28 iron ballasts meant for rail lines in some parts of Lagos metropolis.
The suspects who were arrested by men of the Rapid Response Squad of the Lagos State Police Command, were intercepted while conveying the stolen items with a Vanagon bus with the registration number JJJ 929 EL at about 1:15 a.m on the said day in Agege, Lagos State.
The suspects whose names were given as Hameed Atairu (25), Akeem Muritala (23), Lawal Muritala (25), Tunde Olaunji (27) and the driver of the bus, Sarafa Ishola (38), claimed that an official of the Nigerian Railway Corporation sold the iron to them.
However, preliminary investigations by the police revealed that the iron ballasts were stolen from where they were packed for use.
Further investigations revealed that the iron ballast were meant for the basement of rail lines.
They maintained 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.
He added that the suspects along with the exhibits recovered from them have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti for further investigation.
Joy Anyim
