Ogun: SWAT arrests suspected railway vandal, recovers 16 iron rods

Operatives of the Special Weapons and Tactics, SWAT, unit of the Police Command in Ogun, have arrested a 36-year-old man, Shobande Taofeek for allegedly vandalising and stealing railway infrastructure in Arigbajo, Ogun state.

In a statement issued by the Command’s Spokesperson, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi on Sunday in Abeokuta, the operation led to the discovery of 16 railway iron rods and two gas cylinders.

He said that the arrest followed intelligence gathered about the vandalisation and theft of the railway materials on Oct. 23.

He added that the SWAT operatives intensified surveillance and patrol in the affected area, leading to the suspect’s arrest.

According to Babaseyi, the suspect 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 offence on three previous occasions.

“Efforts are ongoing to apprehend other suspects connected with the crime and recover any additional stolen property,” he said.

According to him, the Commissioner of Police in Ogun, CP Bode Ojajuni, reiterates the Command’s unwavering commitment to protecting public assets, safeguarding critical infrastructure and bringing perpetrators of economic sabotage to justice.

He urged residents to cooperate with the police by providing timely and credible information to support crime prevention and ensure safer communities across Ogun.(NAN)