The Osun State Police Command has arrested six suspects, including four workers of the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC), over the alleged vandalisation and attempted theft of a high-tension powerline pole in Ikirun, Osun State.
The suspects were arrested at about 6:00 a.m. at Eko-Ende Junction, Ikirun, while allegedly cutting the high-tension pole with a cutting machine powered by a generating set.
According to the statement issued on Tuesday by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, the arrest followed credible intelligence received by operatives of the Ikirun Divisional Police Headquarters.
The suspects were identified as Onabamiji Emmanuel, 55, Bolaji Odusanya, 51, and Alimi Akeem, 36, all staff members of IBEDC, Ikirun; Balogun Kehinde, 52, an IBEDC security personnel; Oyewo Hammed, 31, a welder; and Oladosu Hammed, 22, also a welder.
The police said the suspects were allegedly part of the people responsible for the vandalisation and theft of electrical infrastructure in Ikirun and its environs, which has left the town in total darkness for awhile
Items recovered from the suspects include a cutting machine, generating plant and welding machine.
The Commissioner of Police, Osun State Command, CP Ibrahim Zungura, has directed that the case be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for more investigation.
The police said the suspects would be charged to court after the conclusion of investigations.
The Command warned individuals and groups involved in the vandalisation, destruction or theft of public infrastructure to desist from such acts and also members of the public to provide timely information that could assist in preventing and combating crime across the state.
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