Police arrest 36-year-old over railway vandalism in Ogun

By Adebola Muili

Operatives of the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) unit 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 Arigbajo axis of the state.

The arrest led to the recovery of 16 railway iron rods and two gas cylinders, while the police said efforts were ongoing to apprehend other suspects allegedly connected with the crime and recover additional stolen property.

The Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Oluseyi B. Babaseyi, disclosed this in a statement made available to journalists on Sunday, October 25, 2026.

According to the statement, the arrest followed intelligence gathered by the police concerning the vandalisation and theft of railway materials in the area.

Babaseyi said SWAT operatives intensified surveillance and patrols around the affected area on October 23, 2026, following the intelligence, leading to the arrest of the suspect.

He explained that after his arrest, Taofeek led the operatives to an uncompleted building where the 16 railway iron rods and two gas cylinders suspected to have been stolen were recovered as exhibits.

The police spokesman added that preliminary investigations indicated that the suspect had allegedly confessed to involvement in similar offences on three previous occasions.

The alleged confession is expected to form part of the ongoing investigation as the command works to identify and apprehend other persons who may have participated in the vandalism and theft of railway materials.

Babaseyi said the police were also making efforts to recover any additional property connected with the crime, as investigations continued.

The Commissioner of Police, Ogun State Command, CP Bode Ojajuni, reiterated the command’s commitment to protecting public assets, safeguarding critical infrastructure and bringing perpetrators of economic sabotage to justice.

Ojajuni urged residents to support the police by providing timely and credible information that could assist in preventing crime and protecting public infrastructure across the state.

He stressed the importance of public cooperation in helping security agencies identify criminal activities and ensure safer communities in Ogun State.