The Osun State Police Command has arrested six suspects, including four personnel of the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company, IBEDC, over the alleged vandalism and theft of electricity installations in Ikirun, Osun State.

The suspects were arrested at the scene of the alleged crime by police operatives attached to the Ikirun Division after the command received credible intelligence about the activity.

According to the Police Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Ojelabi, the intelligence was received at about 6:00 a.m., prompting the Divisional Police Officer and his team to swiftly move to the location.

The police said the suspects were found cutting a high-tension electricity pole with a cutting machine powered by a generating plant.

The command said the suspects were suspected to be members of a syndicate allegedly responsible for vandalising electricity installations in Ikirun and its environs.

The suspects were identified as Onabamiji Emmanuel, 55, a staff member of IBEDC in 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.

The police said a cutting machine, a generating plant and a welding machine allegedly used in carrying out the act were recovered from the suspects.

Following the arrests, the Commissioner of Police in Osun State, CP Ibrahim Zungura, directed that the case be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation.

The command said the suspects would be charged to court after the conclusion of investigations.

The police subsequently warned individuals and groups involved in the vandalism, destruction or theft of public infrastructure to desist from such criminal activities.

The command said its operatives would continue to deploy intelligence and other operational resources to detect and apprehend individuals involved in activities capable of damaging critical public infrastructure.

The police also appealed to members of the public to support the command by providing timely and credible information that could assist in preventing and combating crime across the state.

CP Zungura assured residents that the Osun State Police Command remained committed to protecting public infrastructure and ensuring that individuals involved in acts capable of sabotaging critical government and public utilities are brought to justice.