Police arrest man for vandalising railway infrastructure in Ogun

The suspect, Shobande Taofeek. Credit: Ogun State Police Command.

The Ogun State Police Command has arrested a 36-year-old man, Shobande Taofeek, over alleged vandalism and theft of railway infrastructure in the Arigbajo axis of the state.

The police also recovered 16 railway iron rods and two gas cylinders suspected to have been stolen during the operation.

The Command’s Police Public Relations Officer, Oluseyi Babaseyi, disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday.

According to the statement, the suspect was arrested by operatives of the Special Weapons and Tactics Unit on October 23, 2026, following intelligence reports about the alleged vandalism and theft of railway materials in the area.

Babaseyi said the operatives intensified surveillance and patrols in the affected area before apprehending the suspect.

He explained, “Operatives of the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) unit of the Ogun State Police Command have arrested Shobande Taofeek, ‘m’, aged 36, over the alleged vandalisation and theft of railway infrastructure in the Arigbajo axis of Ogun State.

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“The operation led to the recovery of 16 railway iron rods and two gas cylinders.

“The arrest followed intelligence gathered about the vandalisation and theft of railway materials. On 23 October 2026, SWAT operatives intensified surveillance and patrols in the affected area, leading to the suspect’s arrest. He subsequently led the operatives to an uncompleted building where the stolen items were recovered as exhibits.

“Preliminary investigation indicates that the suspect allegedly confessed to involvement in similar offences on three previous occasions. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend other suspects connected with the crime and recover any additional stolen property.”

Meanwhile, the State Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni, has reiterated the Command’s unwavering commitment to protecting public assets, safeguarding critical infrastructure and bringing perpetrators of economic sabotage to justice.

The CP urged residents to cooperate with the police by providing timely and credible information to support crime prevention and ensure safer communities across the state.