Rapid Response Squad of Lagos State

The operatives of the Lagos State Police Rapid Response Squad (RRS) have arrested a member of a three-man syndicate who allegedly specialised stealing bridges’ rails in the state.

The Commander of the squad, ACP Olatunji Disu, made the disclosure in a statement on Monday in Lagos.

The statement said that his other gang members escaped as soon as they sighted the police.

The statement which gave the suspect name as Musa Inuwa, 32, added that he was arrested on Sept. 14, at about 2.30 a.m. at Costain area.

It said the suspect’s confessional statement revealed that he belonged to a three-man gang involved in the crime.

The statement quoted Disu as saying that his men intercepted the suspect and his gang members while carting away the stolen railings.

“On the fateful night, Policemen from RRS while on routine patrol at Costain by National Theatre intercepted three men.

“One was pushing a cart with ten-cut-to-size aluminium bridge rails and the other two were coming behind him.

“On sighting the police approaching, two of the suspects, Abdullahi and Ibrahim bolted away and Musa was arrested.

“During preliminary investigation, it was discovered that the suspect and his gang members are in the habit of cutting the rails of highway bridges which are meant to save lives,’’ it said.

The statement said the thieves cut the railings into sizes before selling the aluminium to their ready-made buyers at Ijora and Oyingbo markets.

It said that efforts were on to apprehend the other two men.

The activities of the thieves have seen many bridges, including Third Mainland, Carter, Stadium, Ojuelegba and Fadeyi not having the protective rails.

Both  the federal and state governments have spent millions of Naira to replace the rails to save vehicles and  people from falling off the bridges.