Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Osun State Police Command has arrested six suspects, including a staff member of the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company, for allegedly vandalising and stealing high-tension power cables in the Ikirun area, a crime that has plunged several communities into darkness and dealt a significant blow to the state's electricity infrastructure. The suspects, identified as 33-year-old Yisau Raimi, the IBEDC staff member; 34-year-old Moses Ayeni; 47-year-old Sunday Abiodun; 31-year-old Olasunkanmi Qudus; 24-year-old Adekunle Rasheed; and 33-year-old Olaniyi Saheed, were arrested on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, following an intelligence-led operation by the command's anti-vandalism unit.
The Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Yemisi Opalola, confirmed the arrests in a statement on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, revealing that the suspects were allegedly responsible for the theft of high-tension armoured cables and copper wires that had caused widespread power outages in Ikirun and surrounding areas. The police recovered a significant haul of stolen items, including 27 kilograms of armoured cables, 30 kilograms of copper wire, one cutting plier, and a blue unregistered Toyota Sienna vehicle believed to have been used to transport the stolen goods.
The arrest of an IBEDC staff member has raised troubling questions about insider involvement in the vandalism of the very infrastructure the company is meant to protect. The police said the suspects had been on the command's radar for some time, and their arrest was the result of sustained intelligence gathering and surveillance. The suspects have reportedly confessed to the crime and are assisting investigators in identifying other members of the syndicate and their buyers.
The Commissioner of Police, Osun State Command, CP Mohammed Umar Abba, has commended the operatives for their professionalism and urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to the police. He reiterated the command's commitment to protecting critical infrastructure and ensuring that those responsible for economic sabotage are brought to justice. The suspects will be charged to court upon the conclusion of the investigation.
The vandalism and theft of power cables have been a persistent challenge in Osun State, with criminal syndicates often targeting high-tension cables for their copper content, which is sold to scrap dealers. The involvement of an IBEDC staff member in this latest incident suggests a level of insider complicity that the company must urgently address. As the investigation continues, the people of Ikirun and other affected communities hope that this arrest will lead to a reduction in the rampant vandalism that has become a recurring nightmare for residents and businesses alike.
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