The Ogun State Community, Social Orientation and Safety Corps, popularly known as So-Safe Corps, has arrested a 33-year-old aluminium fabricator for allegedly vandalising and attempting to steal iron fittings from the Nigeria Railway Corporation, NRC, railway line at Odewale, Agbado.
The suspect, Fatai Olamilekan, was arrested at about 10:00 p.m. on Tuesday, by operatives of the Agbado/Oke-Aro/Ibaragun Area Command led by Area Commander, ACC Akeem Olaiya, during a joint routine patrol around Odewale Railway Station and its environs.
The arrest was contained in a statement issued by the State Commander of the Corps, Soji Ganzallo, and made available to newsmen through the Director of Information and Public Relations, Assistant Commander, Adegunwa Adegbuyi, on Thursday.
Ganzallo said the suspect was found in possession of assorted iron fittings suspected to have been removed from the NRC railway fencing, packed in a sack for evacuation and sale.
During interrogation, the suspect reportedly confessed to the crime, saying he started removing the iron components at about 8:00 p.m. the previous day and continued until between 9:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. before going home to rest with plans to return later to evacuate the items.
The State Commander described the vandalism of railway infrastructure as a serious security threat, warning that removal of protective fencing could expose railway facilities to criminal activities and endanger passengers and operations.
He reiterated the Corps’ commitment to protecting critical national infrastructure and preventing vandalism and theft across the state.
Ganzallo urged members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities around railway lines and other public assets to security agencies.
He added that the suspect and recovered exhibits have been transferred to the Nigeria Police Force, for further investigation and prosecution.
The Commander assured that the Corps will continue to collaborate with the police and other security agencies to safeguard critical infrastructure and protect lives and property in Ogun State.
Aluminium fabricator arrested for vandalising railway fencing in Ogun