Police arrest two for vandalising IBEDC equipment, investigate robbery in Ogun

• NSCDC arrests KEDCO staff over alleged theft of prepaid-meter in Katsina

The Ogun State Police Command has arrested two suspects for conspiracy and vandalism of Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) installation wires and iron in the Ogunmakin area of the state.

The suspects, Agbo Jeremiah, 34, and Sunday Ngbuta, 29, were apprehended by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Owode Egba after receiving an alert on January 20 at about 7:00 p.m.

The Guardian learnt that operatives from the Safer Highway unit reported encountering the suspects near Macpherson University earlier the same day. The two men, carrying rolls of cable wires and iron rods, asked for assistance with their load, raising suspicions of theft.

The driver assisting them alerted police officers on duty at the Ogunmakin overhead bridge. The officers stopped the vehicle and conducted a search, leading to the arrest of the suspects.

Confirming the incident, the command’s spokesperson, CSP Omolola Odutola, said photographs of the stolen items were taken, but the suspects could not account for their possession of the materials or provide satisfactory answers to questions.

“The suspects are currently being interrogated, and further updates will be provided,” Odutola stated. Similarly, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Katsina Command, arrested a staff member of the Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO) for allegedly stealing a prepaid meter.

Addressing journalists in Katsina yesterday, the Command’s spokesman, SC Buhari Hamisu, disclosed that the suspect was accused of trespass, tampering with a meter, and theft.

Hamisu stated that the 38-year-old suspect, who works at KEDCO’s Daura Regional Office, was apprehended following a report by Alhaji Lawal Gadi of Tundun Wada Quarters, Daura, alleging that the suspect removed his meter.

The spokesman revealed that the stolen meter, found in the possession of the suspect, who resides at the Low-Cost Housing Estate in Daura, would be presented as evidence during prosecution.

Hamisu said, “The Commandant assures residents of adequate security as the command remains committed to uncovering the activities of vandals, economic saboteurs, and other criminals in the state.”

He added that the Commandant, Aminu Ahmad-Datti, expressed gratitude to the public for their cooperation and urged them to continue providing actionable intelligence to security agencies to help combat criminal activities.

“The command remains resolute in ensuring a peaceful atmosphere for the people of Katsina State and Nigeria as a whole. Vandals, thieves, and those tampering with private property pose significant dangers to the socio-economic well-being of our society and must be eradicated for the safety of all,” Hamisu said.

Responding to journalists’ questions, the suspect confessed to the crime, claiming the stolen item was an abandoned three-phase prepaid meter. When contacted, the Head of Corporate Communications for KEDCO, Mr Sani Bala-Sani, stated that he was unaware of the incident but promised to investigate.

Meanwhile, the command has launched an investigation into a reported armed robbery in the Imeko area of the state. According to Odutola, the robbery occurred on January 21, when a man identified as Aliu was attacked by unknown gunmen near Idufe village at about 9:40 a.m.

It was gathered that the incident followed a report by one Kugbukin Kolawole, a resident of Idufe village, who said Aliu had borrowed his motorcycle the previous evening to visit his family in Iwoye.

Shortly after Aliu left, Kolawole heard gunshots and was informed by a neighbour that Aliu had been attacked. He was found covered in blood with visible cutlass wounds, while the borrowed motorcycle was stolen by the assailants.

Aliu was rushed to a hospital for treatment. Odutola disclosed that the motorcycle’s documents had been submitted to the police as part of ongoing investigations.