Ogun Police arrest man posing as scavenger of iron scraps, recover seven ceiling, cable wires
Bankole Taiwo, Abeokuta
Ogun State Police Command said that its officers with Itele Awori Division in Ado-Odo/Ota Local Government Area has on Saturday, arrested 21-year-old Ibrahim Adamu, disguising as scavenger of condemned iron scraps with some items believed to be stolen found on him.
The police said when the sacks found on the suspect was checked, seven ceiling fans and cable wires believed to have been stolen as they never looked like scraps were discovered in the sack.
This was according to statement issued on Sunday by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the state command, SP Omolola Odutola and made available to journalists. Adamu was said to have allegedly confessed that he has another partner called Azonto from Adamawa State and that both specialised in breaking to people’s houses in the area having pretended to be scavenging for iron scraps.
The police said it has equally launch a manhunt for Azonto said to be an orphan who managed to escape from the crime scene despite being given a hot chase.
The statement read, “The Police Division in Itele Awori has arrested 21-year-old Ibrahim Adamu, who disguised himself as a scavenger of condemned iron scraps, with some items believed to be stolen.
“He confessed that there are two of them who specialise in breaking into unsuspecting members of the public houses in their absence to steal their valuables. The other fleeing suspect identified as Azonto, said to have hailed from Adamawa, and an orphan who works on condemned iron scraps (same as Adamu) is currently at large, he escaped while the policemen gave him a hot chase but could not be found. Our men have embarked on a manhunt to apprehend the fleeing suspect.
“When the policemen searched the sack of the suspect, some of the items recovered, are seven ceiling fans, blades and cable wires, when he was arrested and taken to the station, he played dumb and unable to provide satisfactory information on how he came about the items in his possession.
“No dangerous weapon or gun was found on him, just the sack containing the items mentioned above and from careful observation,the items are not condemned or disposed by the owner, but vandalised useful items. The suspect has been handed over to State Criminal Investigation Departments for discreet investigations after which he will be charged to Court.”
The Commissioner of Police, CP Alamutu Mustapha is said to be abreast of the surge in recent menance constituted by scavengers and scrap pickers and has therefore mandated the immediate arrest of anyone disguising as scavenger of iron scraps to vandallise or steal property belonging to the people or government.
