Six arrested over alleged vandalisation of high-tension pole in Osun

By Deborah Oladejo, Osogbo –

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

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, said the suspects were allegedly found cutting the high-tension pole with a cutting machine powered by a generating set.

Ojelabi said Ikirun and its environs had, in recent months, experienced incessant vandalisation and theft of cables and other electrical assets, leaving the town in total darkness.

The arrested suspects were identified as Onabamiji Emmanuel, 55, a staff member of the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC), Ikirun; Bolaji Odusanya, 51, also an IBEDC staff member; Alimi Akeem, 36, an IBEDC staff member; Balogun Kehinde, 52, an IBEDC security personnel; Oyewo Hammed, 31, a welder; and Oladosu Hammed, 22, also a welder.

According to the command, items recovered from the suspects included a cutting machine, generating set and welding machine, which were allegedly used in carrying out the act.

The police said the suspects were believed to be members of a syndicate allegedly responsible for the vandalisation and theft of electrical infrastructure in Ikirun and its environs.

The Commissioner of Police, Osun State Command, CP Ibrahim Zungura, directed that the case be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for discreet investigation, adding that the suspects would be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.

Zungura also warned individuals and groups involved in the vandalisation, destruction or theft of public infrastructure to desist from such acts, assuring that the command would continue to deploy intelligence and operational resources to detect and apprehend offenders.