Police Arrest Six Over Alleged Vandalism of Electricity Infrastructure

The Osun State Police Command has arrested six people, including four workers linked to the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC), over the alleged vandalism and theft of electricity infrastructure in Ikirun.

The suspects were arrested at about 6:00 a.m. following information received by the police about the alleged cutting of a high-tension electricity pole at Eko-Ende Junction, Ikirun.

Police officers from the Ikirun Divisional Police Headquarters, led by the Divisional Police Officer, reportedly moved to the location after receiving the information.

The police said they found the suspects at the scene allegedly cutting the high-tension pole with a cutting machine powered by a generating set.

The Command said the suspects are believed to be connected to a group allegedly responsible for the repeated destruction and theft of electricity cables and other power equipment in Ikirun and surrounding communities.

The area has reportedly experienced prolonged power outages in recent months, with the vandalism of electricity infrastructure identified as one of the concerns affecting power supply.

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

According to the police, Onabamiji, Odusanya and Alimi are IBEDC employees, while Balogun is an IBEDC security worker. Oyewo and Oladosu are welders.

The police said a cutting machine, generating set and welding machine were recovered from the suspects.

Following the arrests, the Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Zungura, ordered that the case be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigation.

The Command said the suspects would be taken to court after the investigation is completed.

The police warned people involved in the vandalism, theft or destruction of public infrastructure to stop the act, saying the Command would continue to use intelligence and other operational methods to identify and arrest those responsible.

The police also appealed to residents of Osun State to provide useful and credible information that could help security agencies prevent and fight crime.

CP Zungura assured residents that the Police Command would continue to protect critical public infrastructure and ensure that anyone found responsible for sabotaging public utilities faces the law.