Operatives of the Ogun State Community, Social Orientation and Safety Corps, popularly known as So-Safe Corps, have apprehended a 24-year-old suspect, Aliyu Umaru, for allegedly vandalizing and stealing underground electrical cables at the Gateway Stadium in Ilaro, Yewa South Local Government Area.
The arrest was confirmed in a statement issued by the Office of the State Commander of the Corps, Commander (Dr.) Soji Ganzallo, and signed by the Director of Information and Public Relations, Assistant Commander Moruf Yusuf.
According to the statement, officers attached to the Ilaro Area Command were conducting a routine patrol on Tuesday, April 23, 2025, at around 2:00 a.m. when they noticed suspicious movement within the stadium premises.
“Upon arrival at the scene, our officers caught the suspect, Aliyu Umaru, in the act of vandalizing and attempting to cart away underground cables,” the statement said.
Commander Ganzallo disclosed that the suspect was immediately overpowered and arrested on the spot. Items recovered from him included a cutlass, scissors, and a quantity of already-cut cables.
“During preliminary interrogation, the suspect could not give any satisfactory explanation as to how he came about the cables or his mission at that hour of the night,” Ganzallo added.
He further stated that the suspect and the recovered exhibits have been transferred to the Nigeria Police Force, Ilaro Divisional Headquarters, for further investigation and possible prosecution.
Commander Ganzallo reaffirmed the Corps’ commitment to protecting government infrastructure and ensuring the safety of communities across the state.
“This arrest underscores our resolve to keep Ogun State safe and secure. We will not relent in our patrol and surveillance operations, especially at public facilities,” he said.
The So-Safe Corps urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the nearest security agency to help curb vandalism and theft of public assets.
