Police Arrest Four IBEDC Staff, Two Welders Over Alleged Stealing, Power Infrastructure Vandalism In Osun

The Osun State Police Command has arrested four persons identified as staff and security personnel of the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) over alleged vandalisation and attempted theft of a high-tension powerline pole in Ikirun, Osun State.

The four IBEDC personnel were arrested alongside two welders while allegedly cutting a high-tension electricity pole at Eko-Ende Junction, Ikirun.

The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday, saying the arrest followed credible intelligence received by operatives of the Ikirun Divisional Police Headquarters.

According to the police, the suspects were apprehended at about 6:00 a.m. while allegedly using a cutting machine powered by a generating plant to cut the high-tension pole.

The IBEDC personnel arrested were identified as Onabamiji Emmanuel, 55; Bolaji Odusanya, 51; Alimi Akeem, 36; and Balogun Kehinde, 52, who was described as an IBEDC security personnel.

The two other suspects were identified as Oyewo Hammed, 31, and Oladosu Hammed, 22, both welders.

The Command alleged that the suspects belonged to a syndicate responsible for the persistent vandalisation and theft of electricity cables and other power infrastructure in Ikirun and its environs.

It said the activities of vandals had contributed to prolonged darkness experienced in the town and surrounding communities in recent months.

Items recovered from the suspects, according to the police, included a cutting machine, generating plant and welding machine allegedly used in the operation.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Zungura, has ordered the transfer of the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for discreet investigation.

The police said the suspects would be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.

The Command warned individuals involved in the vandalisation or theft of public infrastructure to desist from such activities, assuring that it would continue to deploy intelligence and operational resources to apprehend offenders.

The police also urged members of the public to provide credible information that could assist in protecting critical infrastructure and combating crime across the state.