The Ogun State Community, Social Orientation and Safety Corps (So-Safe Corps) has arrested a 33-year-old aluminium fabricator, Fatai Olamilekan, for allegedly vandalising and attempting to steal iron fittings from the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) railway line at Odewale, Agbado. The arrest took place on Tuesday evening around 10:00 p.m. during a joint routine patrol conducted by operatives of the Agbado/Oke-Aro/Ibaragun Area Command, led by Area Commander ACC Akeem Olaiya. The suspect was apprehended near the Odewale Railway Station with a sack containing assorted iron fittings believed to have been removed from the NRC’s protective fencing.
The incident was confirmed in a statement issued by the State Commander of So-Safe Corps, Soji Ganzallo, and shared with the media through the Director of Information and Public Relations, Assistant Commander Adegunwa Adegbuyi, on Thursday. According to the statement, Olamilekan was found in possession of the stolen materials, which he had packed for evacuation and sale. During interrogation, he confessed to starting the theft at approximately 8:00 p.m. the previous day and continuing until between 9:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m., after which he returned home intending to resume the operation later.
Ganzallo described the act as a serious threat to national security, emphasizing that the removal of railway fencing could expose critical infrastructure to criminal elements, endanger passengers, and disrupt rail operations. He stressed the importance of protecting vital public assets and reiterated the Corps’ commitment to preventing vandalism and theft across Ogun State. The State Commander urged residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities around railway lines or other public facilities to security agencies promptly.
The suspect and all recovered exhibits have since been handed over to the Nigeria Police Force for further investigation and prosecution. Ganzallo assured the public that So-Safe Corps will continue to work closely with the police and other security agencies to safeguard critical infrastructure and ensure the safety of lives and property in the state. This arrest underscores ongoing efforts to combat crimes targeting national infrastructure and reinforces the need for community cooperation in maintaining security.
As Ogun State continues to strengthen its security framework, incidents like this highlight the persistent challenges faced by critical sectors such as transportation. Authorities remain committed to deterring such acts and ensuring the integrity of public assets for the benefit of all Nigerians.
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