Arrest suspect for attempting to steal iron fittings

Security agencies in Ogun and Oyo states have stepped up efforts to protect critical infrastructure and schools, with authorities urging residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities.

In Ogun, operatives of the State Community, Social Orientation and Safety (So-Safe) Corps 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 fence at Odewale, in the Agbado area of the state.

Olamilekan was arrested at about 10:00 p.m. on September 8 during a joint routine patrol by operatives of the Agbado/Oke-Aro/Ibaragun Area Command around Odewale Railway Station and its environs.

The So-Safe Corps Commander, Soji Ganzallo, confirmed the arrest in a statement issued in Abeokuta by the Director of Information and Public Relations, Assistant Commander Adegunwa Adegbuyi.

Ganzallo said the suspect was allegedly found with assorted iron fittings believed to have been removed from the NRC railway fence. The items, he added, had been packed in a sack for subsequent evacuation and sale.

According to him, preliminary investigation showed that Olamilekan confessed to removing the iron components from the railway fence.

He said the suspect began removing the fittings at about 8:00 p.m. and continued until his arrest around 10:00 p.m., apparently intending to return later to evacuate the remaining materials.

Ganzallo described the vandalism of railway fittings and protective fencing as a serious security concern, warning that such acts could expose railway facilities to further criminal activities and endanger railway operations, passengers and members of the public.

He said the suspect and recovered exhibits had been handed over to the Nigeria Police Force at Odewale Divisional Headquarters for further investigation and possible prosecution.

Similarly, the Oyo State Police Command, in collaboration with the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), has launched a Safe School initiative to strengthen security around schools and provide a safer environment for learning.

The initiative, launched as part of activities marking the 42nd anniversary of the PCRC in Oyo State, comes as schools resume for the new academic session.

In a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, on September 11, the command said the initiative would increase police visibility around schools, protect pupils, students, teachers and other school personnel, and safeguard school infrastructure.

It will also promote community-based intelligence gathering and ensure a prompt response to emerging security threats.

The launch was attended by the National Chairman of the PCRC, Mogaji Ibrahim Olaniyan, the Oyo State PCRC chairperson and other stakeholders.

The police said they were deepening engagement with the PCRC Safe School Club, school proprietors, administrators, Parent-Teacher Associations, teachers, parents and students to establish a collaborative security framework for the early identification, reporting and prevention of threats.

The command stressed that sustainable school safety required collective responsibility, urging members of school communities to share credible information with the police without delay.

It said personnel deployed to protect schools had been directed to remain vigilant, maintain close contact with school communities and respond promptly to credible security information.

The command also urged residents to report suspicious persons, vehicles, movements or activities around schools, stressing the importance of the message: “See Something, Say Something.”

It said early reporting could provide actionable intelligence to enable security agencies prevent incidents before they occurred.