The Osun State Police Command has arrested six suspects, including four employees of the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC), in connection with the alleged vandalism of electricity infrastructure in Ikirun, Osun State.
The suspects were reportedly apprehended while cutting a high-tension electricity pole at a location in Ikirun, following intelligence received by the police.
The command disclosed the arrests on Tuesday in a statement issued by its Police Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Ojelabi.
According to the police, operatives attached to the Ikirun Divisional Police Headquarters received credible intelligence about the suspected vandalism at about 6:00 a.m. and immediately mobilised to the location.
The operatives, led by the Divisional Police Officer, reportedly arrived at the scene and found the suspects allegedly cutting a high-tension pole with a cutting machine powered by a generating set.
The police said all six suspects were arrested at the scene.
The command identified those arrested as Onabamiji Emmanuel, 55, an IBEDC staff member in Ikirun; Bolaji Odusanya, 51, also an IBEDC staff member; Alimi Akeem, 36, an IBEDC staff member; and Balogun Kehinde, 52, identified as an IBEDC security personnel.
The other suspects were identified as Oyewo Hammed, 31, and Oladosu Hammed, 22, both described by the police as welders.
The command alleged that the group may be linked to a wider syndicate responsible for the vandalism of electricity infrastructure in Ikirun and neighbouring communities.
“This syndicate is suspected to be the ones terrorising Ikirun and its environs,” the statement said.
Police operatives also recovered several items at the scene, including a cutting machine, a generating plant and a welding machine, which the command said were allegedly being used in the operation.
The arrests come amid concerns over the continued vandalism and theft of electricity infrastructure in different parts of the country, crimes that can disrupt power supply, damage public assets and impose additional costs on electricity distribution companies and consumers.
Following the arrests, the Commissioner of Police in Osun State, CP Ibrahim Zungura, directed that the case be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation.
The police said investigators would examine the circumstances surrounding the alleged vandalism and determine the extent of the suspects’ involvement.
The command added that the suspects would be prosecuted after investigations had been concluded.
The police also issued a warning to individuals and groups involved in the vandalism, destruction or theft of public infrastructure, urging them to desist from such activities.
The command said it would continue to deploy intelligence gathering and operational resources to identify and arrest individuals involved in crimes targeting critical infrastructure.
It further called on residents of Osun State to provide timely and credible information that could assist security agencies in preventing and combating criminal activities.
The command assured members of the public that it remained committed to protecting critical infrastructure and ensuring that individuals whose activities threaten public utilities are brought to justice.
“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 added.
