Some residents of Journalists Estate Phase 1 in the Arepo area of the Obafemi Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State were thrown into darkness in the early hours of Saturday when some persons vandalised and stole some cables in the area.
Security operatives, however, succeeded in arresting two of the suspects.
PUNCH Metro learnt that the suspected thieves arrived at the estate around 6.30am and began vandalising and stealing electric cables.
Our correspondent gathered that security operatives guarding the estate succeeded in arresting two suspects around 7.30am
PUNCH Metro further learnt that the theft had thrown some parts of the estate into blackout.
An eyewitness told our correspondent that the Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company had visited the area to assess the extent of the damage.
One of the residents, Mr Oludare Mayowa said, “The matter is already at the Wawa Police Division. The suspects were arrested this (Saturday) morning by our security guards.
“We took them to the police station. We have OPC members guarding our estate. They were trying to flee with the stolen cables but they were arrested by the OPC members. They were three numbers. The other person who led them into the estate jumped on a motorcycle and ran away.
“They vandalised one of the transformers in our estate. Residents who are connected to that particular transformer have been thrown into the darkness since the incident. The Ikeja Electric people have come immediately to assess the situation. We will be waiting for them to tell us exactly what we are to do for electricity to be restored to the affected community.”
Contacted, state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Omolola Odutola, who confirmed the incident to our correspondent on Monday, said the two suspects had been charged to court and remanded at the Oba Correctional Centre.
“The case has been charged to court today (Monday) and the suspects have been remanded in Oba Correctional Centre,” Odutola said.
Source: The Punch
