NSCDC arrests rail track vandal in Osun

The Osun State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has arrested a 24-year-old man, Olalekan Kehinde, for allegedly vandalising a railway track in the Dagbolu area of Osogbo.
In a statement released on Friday, the command’s spokesperson, Kehinde Adeleke, disclosed that Kehinde and his accomplice, identified as Abbey, committed the act over two consecutive days.

The statement read: “On Sunday, November 17, 2024, the suspect, Olalekan Kehinde, and his friend Abbey, who is currently at large, vandalised the railway track at Dagbolu, Osun State, by using a hammer to remove the pandrol clips.

“The following day, Monday, November 18, 2024, they were caught in the act of vandalising the railway at Dagbolu. One of the suspects was arrested while the second escaped.”

Adeleke further revealed that Kehinde confessed during interrogation that his accomplice had taught him how to remove the pandrol clips. The stolen items were reportedly sold as scrap to metal buyers in the state.

Reacting to the incident, the Osun NSCDC Commandant, Igbalawole Sotiyo, condemned the rising cases of vandalism targeting national assets and issued a stern warning to scrap dealers against purchasing stolen materials.

Sotiyo stated, “We will embark on routine operations around the stores of metal scrap buyers in the state, and anyone found culpable will face the full wrath of the law.”

The Commandant also commended the residents of Dagbolu for providing timely intelligence that facilitated the apprehension of the suspect.

Pandrol clips, the high-strength steel fasteners targeted in this incident, are crucial for securing railway tracks to sleepers. These clips ensure track stability, maintain proper alignment, and absorb vibrations during train operations. Their elastic design helps enhance safety and reduces maintenance needs.

However, their metal value makes them attractive to vandals who sell them as scrap, thereby compromising the integrity of the tracks and posing significant safety risks.