Police Nab Four IBEDC Staff, Others For Electricity Installations Theft In Osun
The Osun State Police Command on Tuesday said it had arrested six suspects allegedly caught vandalising electricity installations in Ikirun, Osun State.
Four of those arrested were said to be staff members of the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company.
Giving further details about the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer of the command, Abiodun Ojelabi, in a statement made available to journalists, explained that apart from the four IBEDC staff members, others arrested in connection with the crime included one security personnel and two welders.
Ojelabi also said the six suspects were arrested at the scene of the crime by operatives acting on intelligence.
“Acting on credible intelligence received at about 0600 hours, police operatives attached to Ikirun Division, 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 terrorising Ikirun and its environs.
“The suspects arrested are: Onabamiji Emmanuel ‘m’, aged 55yrs (staff member of IBEDC, Ikirun), Bolaji Odusanya ‘m’, aged 51yrs (staff member of IBEDC, Ikirun), Alimi Akeem ‘m’, aged 36yrs (staff member of IBEDC, Ikirun), Balogun Kehinde ‘m’, aged 52yrs (IBEDC security personnel), Oyewo Hammed ‘m’, aged 31yrs (welder), Oladosu Hammed ‘m’, aged 22yrs (welder),” the command stated.
Ojelabi further said exhibits recovered from the suspects included a cutting machine, a generating plant and a welding machine allegedly used in carrying out the act.
He said the state Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Zungura, had directed that the case be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation, noting that the suspects would be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.
The command subsequently warned individuals and groups involved in the vandalism, destruction or theft of public infrastructure to desist from such criminal acts, saying its operatives would continue to deploy intelligence and operational resources to detect and apprehend offenders.
It encouraged the public to continue to support the police with timely and credible information that would assist in preventing and combating crime across the state.
“The Commissioner of Police, Osun State Command, CP Ibrahim Zungura, 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 in part.
