The Osun State Police Command has arrested six suspects in connection with the alleged vandalisation and stealing of a high-tension powerline pole at Eko-Ende Junction, Ikirun, Osun State.

“Ikirun and its environs for the past few months have been experiencing incessant vandalisation and stealing of cables and other electrical assets which have left the town in total darkness,” the Command stated in a press release signed by DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, Police Public Relations Officer, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police on Tuesday.

“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 terrorizing Ikirun and its environs,” the statement continued.

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).

“Exhibits recovered from them includes: (1) Cutting machine, (2) Generating plant and (3) Welding machine used in carrying out the act. Investigation into the matter is ongoing,” the release stated.

“The Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Zungura, has directed the case to be transferred to SCID for discreet investigation, and the suspects will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations,” DSP Ojelabi said in the statement.

“The Osun State Police Command therefore warns individuals and groups involved in the vandalism, destruction, or stealing of public infrastructure to desist from such criminal acts, as the Command will continue to deploy intelligence and operational resources to detect and apprehend offenders, while encouraging the public to continue to support the Police with timely and credible information that will assist in preventing and combating crime across Osun State,” the statement added.

“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 release concluded.