RismadarVoice Reporters
October 25, 2026
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 area of the state.
The command also recovered 16 railway iron rods and two gas cylinders during the operation carried out by its Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) unit.
The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, disclosed the development in a statement issued on Sunday in Abeokuta, the state capital.
According to Babaseyi, the arrest followed intelligence reports concerning the suspected theft and destruction of railway materials in the area.
He explained that SWAT operatives intensified surveillance and patrols on Friday, October 23, leading to the arrest of the suspect.
Following his arrest, Taofeek reportedly led the officers to an unfinished building where the railway materials and gas cylinders were recovered.
The police said the recovered items had been secured as exhibits to support further investigation into the alleged offences.
Babaseyi disclosed that preliminary investigations indicated that the suspect had allegedly admitted involvement in similar incidents on three previous occasions.
However, the command did not provide details of the earlier incidents or indicate whether the suspect had previously faced criminal charges.
Investigators are also working to establish whether other individuals participated in the alleged vandalism and theft.
The police spokesperson said efforts were ongoing to identify and apprehend other suspects who might be connected with the incident.
He added that operatives were searching for additional railway materials believed to have been removed from the affected infrastructure.
The Commissioner of Police in Ogun State, Bode Ojajuni, reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting public property and critical infrastructure against vandalism and theft.
Ojajuni warned that individuals found responsible for damaging or stealing public assets would face prosecution in accordance with the law.
He stressed the importance of safeguarding railway infrastructure, which plays a role in transportation, commercial activities and economic development.
The commissioner also called for stronger cooperation between residents and security agencies to prevent similar incidents.
He urged members of the public to report suspicious activities and provide credible information that could assist investigators.
The command maintained that intelligence gathering, surveillance and community cooperation would remain important components of its crime-prevention strategy.
Meanwhile, investigations into the alleged vandalism are continuing, with the police expected to determine the full extent of the damage and the involvement of other suspects.
Taofeek remains a suspect and is presumed innocent unless proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.
