26th February, 2016
Paul Iyoghojie
The police at the Bar Beach Division, Victoria Island, Lagos, western Nigeria, have arrested two men for allegedly stealing 250 meters of amoured Nitel cables valued at N2m, property of the Federal Ministry of Communication.
Also arrested in connection with the theft is the alleged receiver and buyer of the stolen cables.
The incident, according to the police, occured at about 5 a.m. along Agoro Diyan Street, Victoria Island, Lagos, on 22 February, 2016.
The police identified the suspects as Ellias Odiyan, 37, Bolarin Ariyo, 37, and the alleged buyer of the stolen cables, Abdulahi Suleiman, 25.
Police said some of the items recovered from the suspects include chisels, jack knives, cutlasses, saw blades and about 50 pieces of vandalized cables.
The suspects were arrested following a distress call by concerned residents in the area to the DPO in charge of Bar Beach Division, CSP Olusegun Ajamolaya that some suspects were vandalizing Nitel cables in their area.
Following the report, the DPO despatched a team led by Inspector Steven Adenrele to the scene to arrest the suspects and bring them to the station.
On sighting the police team, the suspects took to their heels but they were pursued by the police who succeeded in arresting two of them while others escaped.
During interogation, the arrested suspects allegedly confessed to the crime that they had vandalized Nitel cables on five occasions within Victoria Island axis and sold them to their accomplice, Abdulahi Suleiman at a market on Victoria Island, Lagos.
The suspects led the police to the market to arrest Suleiman who also allegedly confessed that he had received and bought vandalized cables from the suspects.
After investigation by Coporal Obiajunwa Iheanyichukwu and his team, the suspects were arraigned before an Igbosere Magistrates’ court on a three-count charge of felony to wit, stealing and receiving stolen property.
Police prosecutor, Inspector Emby Igobor, said the offences the accused persons committed are punishable under sections 409, 285 and 326 of the criminal laws of Lagos State, 2011.
The accused persons denied the police allegations in the open court, and Magistrate Mr P. A. Adekomaiya admitted the defendants to bail in the sum of N200,000 with one surety in like sum.
Adekomaiya adjourned the case till 22 March, 2016 for mention, while the defendants were taken to Ikoyi prison, Lagos, pending when they will fulfil their bail canditions.