Osun Amotekun arrests suspects over N4.5 million steel theft

By Deborah Oladejo, Osogbo

The Osun State Security Network Agency, popularly known as Amotekun Corps, has apprehended members of a criminal syndicate involved in the theft of iron steel worth over N4.5 million from a steel company in Ede.

In a statement signed by the Corps’ spokesperson, Idowu Abass, on Sunday, the suspects—Wilson Titus (26) and Gabriel Simon (23), both from Kaduna State, and Ogundele Sunday (32) from Ekiti State—were arrested for conspiring to steal large quantities of steel from their workplace, a manufacturing company in Ede.

Investigations revealed that the trio, who were either employees or closely associated with the company, had been stealing steel materials over time and selling them to a scrap dealer in Sabo, Ede, for between N3,000 and N7,000—far below market value.

Wilson, who confessed to the crime, admitted that it was not their first involvement in such activities. He said they had been operating for some time before their latest attempt was foiled during a surveillance operation by Amotekun operatives.

In another incident, Ogunbunmi Yemi (38), from Ila-Orangun, was arrested for breaking into a residential building and stealing household items including a television set, generator, and iron steel. He claimed he intended to sell the items to support himself.

Gbadegesin Ibrahim (28), from Osogbo, was also arrested in connection with the theft of iron steel in Eleweran, Ile-Ife, and the theft of an Itel mobile phone at the Toll Gate area in Ile-Ife. He was tracked and apprehended following a complaint lodged with Amotekun.

In yet another case, Biodun Akinwale (32), also from Osogbo, was caught red-handed while removing aluminium fittings from a newly constructed building in the Ede North Local Government Area. He had broken into the premises before being spotted by a resident who alerted security operatives.

Speaking on the arrests, the Osun Amotekun Corps Commander, Chief (Dr.) Hon. Adekunle Isaac Omoyele, praised the efforts of the Corps’ Intelligence Unit for the surveillance that led to the bust of the Ede steel theft ring. He assured that all suspects would be charged to court and prosecuted according to the law to serve as a deterrent to others.