Follow Us on Google
From Lateef Dada, Osogbo
Four employees of the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) and two welders have been arrested by the Osun State Police Command over the alleged vandalism and attempted theft of a high-tension powerline pole at Eko-Ende Junction, Ikirun.
Police Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Ojelabi, said the six suspects were allegedly caught cutting the high-tension pole with a generator-powered cutting machine following intelligence received by the police.
The arrest comes amid recurring theft and vandalism of electricity cables and other power infrastructure in Ikirun and surrounding communities, which police said had contributed to prolonged power outages in the area.
“Acting on credible intelligence received at about 6:00 a.m., police operatives attached to the Ikirun Division, led by the DPO, responded swiftly to the scene. Six suspects caught using a generator-powered cutting machine on the high-tension pole were subsequently arrested,” Ojelabi said.
Police said they were investigating whether the suspects were connected to a syndicate believed to be responsible for repeated attacks on electricity infrastructure in the area.
Those arrested were identified as Onabamiji Emmanuel, 55; Bolaji Odusanya, 51; Alimi Akeem, 36; Balogun Kehinde, 52; Oyewo Hammed, 31; and Oladosu Hammed, 22.
Other News
Police identified Emmanuel, Odusanya and Akeem as IBEDC employees in Ikirun and Kehinde as an IBEDC security guard, while Hammed and Oladosu were identified as welders.
Exhibits recovered from the scene included a cutting machine, generating set and welding equipment allegedly used in the operation.
Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Zungura, has ordered the transfer of the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigation.
The command said the suspects would be prosecuted if investigations established their culpability.
Zungura reiterated the command’s determination to protect critical public infrastructure and warned those involved in the vandalism and theft of electricity installations to desist.
He also urged residents to provide the police with timely and credible information that could assist in preventing attacks on critical infrastructure across the state.
