Ogun police arrest 36-year-old over railway vandalism, recover 16 iron rods

Operatives of the Ogun State Police Command have arrested a 36-year-old man, Shobande Taofeek, over alleged vandalism and theft of railway infrastructure in the state, recovering 16 railway iron rods and two gas cylinders used for cutting metal.

The suspect was arrested by operatives of the command’s Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) unit following intelligence reports about the vandalisation of railway materials around the Arigbajo axis of Ogun State.

The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, disclosed the arrest in a statement issued on Sunday.

According to the police, SWAT operatives intensified surveillance and patrols in the affected area on October 23, 2026, leading to the arrest of the suspect.

Babaseyi said the suspect subsequently led the operatives to an uncompleted building where the stolen railway materials were recovered.

The recovered items included 16 railway iron rods and two gas cylinders allegedly used to cut the railway tracks. The materials were secured as exhibits for investigation.

The police spokesperson added that preliminary investigations indicated that the suspect allegedly admitted involvement in similar offences on three previous occasions.

The command said efforts were ongoing to track down other suspects believed to be connected to the alleged vandalism and recover additional stolen property.

Commissioner of Police, CP Bode Ojajuni, reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting public assets and critical infrastructure across Ogun State.

Ojajuni described the protection of such infrastructure as a priority and pledged that the police would pursue those responsible for acts of vandalism and economic sabotage.

He also urged residents to provide timely and credible information that could assist security agencies in identifying criminal activities and apprehending suspects.

The suspect’s arrest and the recovery of the railway materials followed the police operation in the Arigbajo area, while investigations continued into the alleged offences and the possible involvement of other individuals.