The Osun State Police Command has arrested six suspects, including four staff members of the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC), over the alleged vandalisation and theft of electrical infrastructure in Ikirun.
The suspects were arrested while allegedly cutting a high-tension powerline pole at Eko-Ende Junction in Ikirun.
The suspects were Onabamiji Emmanuel, 55; Bolaji Odusanya, 51; Alimi Akeem, 36; and Balogun Kehinde, 52, all identified as IBEDC personnel, as well as two welders, Oyewo Hammed, 31, and Oladosu Hammed, 22.
In a statement by the Police spokesperson, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, the arrest followed credible intelligence received at about 6 a.m., prompting operatives attached to the Ikirun Division, led by the Divisional Police Officer, to visit the scene.
“Ikirun and its environs for the past few months have been experiencing incessant vandalization and stealing of cables and other electrical assets which have left the town in total darkness. Acting on credible intelligence received at about 0600 hours, Police operatives attached to Ikirun Divison led by the DPO, acted swiftly and visited the scene, six suspects found cutting the high-tension pole with a cutting machine powered by a generating plant were subsequently arrested. This syndicate is suspected to be the ones terrorizing Ikirun and its environs.”
“Exhibits recovered from them includes: (1) Cutting machine, (2) Generating plant and (3) Welding machine used in carrying out the act. Investigation into the matter is ongoing. The Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Zungura, psc(+), mnips, has directed the case to be transferred to SCID for discreet investigation, and the suspects will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.”
“The Osun State Police Command therefore warns individuals and groups involved in the vandalism, destruction, or stealing of public infrastructure to desist from such criminal acts, as the Command will continue to deploy intelligence and operational resources to detect and apprehend offenders, while encouraging the public to continue to support the Police with timely and credible information that will assist in preventing and combating crime across Osun State.”
“The Commissioner of Police, Osun State Command, CP Ibrahim Zungura, psc(+), mnips, has assured members of the public that the Command remains resolute in protecting public infrastructure and ensuring that individuals involved in acts capable of sabotaging critical government and public utilities are brought to justice,” the statement read.