Police arrest two suspects over vandalism at Ondo hospital

By Boye Oyeyemi

The Nigeria Police Force has arrested a suspected vandal and a security guard following the destruction of electrical installations at the General Hospital in Igbotako, Ondo State.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Abayomi Jimoh, disclosed this in a statement issued on Saturday, saying the incident occurred on May 6, 2026.

According to the statement, the suspect identified as Promise Godspower allegedly gained unlawful access into the hospital premises and vandalised electrical facilities before stealing electrical cables from the government-owned health institution.

“The criminal act not only amounted to theft but also caused serious damage to critical government infrastructure meant for public service delivery,” the statement read.

The police said detectives were immediately deployed to the scene after receiving the report from a concerned resident, adding that investigators documented the damaged installations and launched a manhunt for the suspect.

The command stated that the suspect was later arrested through intelligence-led operations and allegedly confessed to the crime during interrogation. It added that the stolen electrical cables were also recovered by operatives.

The police further revealed that a security guard attached to the hospital, identified as Pogbara Sigalo, was taken into custody for allegedly abandoning his duty post at the time of the incident, thereby creating the opportunity for the criminal act to occur.

Reacting, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Adebowale Lawal, warned against vandalism and destruction of public property, assuring residents that the suspects would be charged to court after the conclusion of investigations.