Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force have arrested a suspected vandal and a security guard in connection with the destruction of electrical installations at the General Hospital, Igbotako, in the Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State.
The arrest was confirmed in a statement issued on Saturday by the command’s spokesperson, Abayomi Jimoh, who said the incident was reported to the police on May 6, 2026.
According to the statement, a resident alerted the police that a man identified as Promise Godspower allegedly broke into the hospital premises and damaged parts of the facility’s electrical infrastructure before making away with electrical cables.
The command explained that the act disrupted public property meant for healthcare services and prompted an immediate response from detectives, who visited the scene to commence investigation into the matter.
“The suspect unlawfully gained access into the hospital premises and vandalised electrical installations within the facility before carting away electrical cables,” the statement noted.
Police investigators were said to have documented the damaged installations and gathered evidence from the scene as part of efforts to uncover the circumstances surrounding the incident.
The statement added that operatives later tracked down and arrested the suspect through intelligence-driven investigation, stressing that he allegedly admitted involvement in the crime during interrogation.
“The operatives equally recovered the stolen electrical cables while investigation has been intensified to determine whether other accomplices were involved in the act,” the police stated.
The command also disclosed that a security guard attached to the hospital, identified as Pogbara Sigalo, was taken into custody after investigators discovered that he allegedly abandoned his duty post when the incident occurred.
According to the police, preliminary findings suggested that the guard’s absence created an opportunity for the vandalism and theft to take place, while investigators were also probing possible negligence or connivance.
“Further investigation equally revealed negligence on the part of the security personnel attached to the facility, who reportedly abandoned his duty post at the time of the incident,” the statement added.
The Commissioner of Police in Ondo State, Adebowale Lawal, condemned the destruction of public infrastructure and warned residents against engaging in vandalism and theft of government property.
The police commissioner also criticised acts of negligence among security personnel, saying officers and guards assigned to protect public facilities must remain vigilant and carry out their responsibilities professionally.
Lawal assured residents that the suspects would be prosecuted after the completion of investigations, while urging members of the public to promptly report suspicious movements and criminal activities to security agencies.