Police arrest six over alleged vandalism, theft of electricity pole in Osun

The Osun State Police Command has arrested six suspects over the alleged vandalism and theft of an electricity high-tension power line pole in Ikirun, Osun State.

The suspects were arrested at about 6am at Eko-Ende Junction, Ikirun, while allegedly cutting the high-tension pole with a cutting machine powered by a generating plant.

The command disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday by its spokesperson, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Zungura.

According to the statement, “The arrests followed credible intelligence received by police operatives attached to the Ikirun Divisional Police Headquarters.

“The operatives, led by the Divisional Police Officer, reportedly acted swiftly and visited the scene, where they found the six suspects allegedly cutting the electrical infrastructure.”

The command said the arrests were made amid concerns over repeated vandalism and theft of electricity cables and other electrical assets in Ikirun and its environs.

The police said the activities had contributed to prolonged darkness in the town and surrounding communities.

The police identified the suspects as Onabamiji Emmanuel, aged 55; Bolaji Odusanya, aged 51; Alimi Akeem, aged 36; Balogun Kehinde, aged 52; Oyewo Hammed, aged 31; and Oladosu Hammed, aged 22.

The command said Emmanuel, Odusanya and Akeem were staff members of the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company, IBEDC, in Ikirun, while Balogun was a security personnel attached to the company. Oyewo and Oladosu were identified as welders.

Police said a cutting machine, generating plant and welding machine allegedly used in the operation were recovered from the suspects.

The statement added that the Commissioner of Police had directed that the case be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for discreet investigation, after which the suspects would be charged to court.

The command warned individuals and groups involved in the vandalism, destruction or theft of public infrastructure to desist, while urging residents to provide timely and credible information to assist security agencies in combating crime across Osun State.