Four alleged telecoms equipment vandals arrested in Oyo

By Ayorinde Oluokun

Four men have been arrested with suspected stolen telecommunications power equipment by police operatives during a routine stop-and-search operation at Irepo area along the Oyo–Ogbomoso Expressway of Oyo State.

Oyo Police Command spokesperson, Ayanlade Olayinka, in a statement on Tuesday identified the suspects as Jimoh Mufutau (35 years), of Mowe-Ibafo Area, Ogun State; Saheed Akanbi (34 years), of Onipanu Area, Lagos State; Lateef Ibrahim (37 years), of Igando Area, Lagos State; and Lukman Jimoh (38 years), of Isheri/Berger Area, Lagos State.

According to him, the suspects were arrested while conveying four hybrid solar batteries valued at approximately N8m in an ash-coloured Toyota Sienna vehicle with registration number EPE 992 KH by the police operatives.

Olayinka said during interrogation, the suspects confessed to stealing the items from a telecommunications facility in Offa, Kwara State, before attempting to transport them to an undisclosed destination.

The Oyo spokesperson said the recovered items and the vehicle used in conveying them have been taken into police custody as exhibits, while further investigation is ongoing to determine the full extent of the suspects’ criminal activities and identify other members of the syndicate.

He also quoted Oyo Commissioner of Police, CP Abimbola Ayodeji Olugbenga as commending the vigilance and professionalism of the operatives whose proactive efforts led to the arrest of the suspects.

“He reiterates the Command’s commitment to safeguarding critical national assets and ensuring that criminal elements have no safe haven within Oyo State.

“The Commissioner further urges members of the public to remain vigilant and continue to provide timely and credible information to the Police, as community partnership remains a vital component in the fight against crime.

“The Oyo State Police Command remains steadfast in its resolve to protect lives, property, and critical infrastructure while bringing perpetrators of crime to justice,” Olayinka concluded in the statement.