NSCDC parades five for alleged drug peddling, cable theft
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps have paraded four people for allegedly vandalising electricity cables in some communities in Ogun State and one person for alleged drug peddling.
Parading the suspects before newsmen at the command’s headquarters in Abeokuta, the state capital, David Ojelabi, the state commandant of the corps, revealed that four of the suspects were involved in vandalism and stealing, while one of the suspects allegedly specialised in selling marijuana.
According to him, one of the suspects, Ojuolape Olaitan, was arrested in the Imomo area of the Ijebu North-East Local Government Area of the state following a tip-off from members of the community, which prompted the NSCDC operatives to immediately swing into action and apprehend the suspect in possession of the vandalised cables.
Ojelabi said, “Today, Wednesday, January 24, 2024, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Ogun State Command, will be parading a suspect, Ojuolape Olaitan, a male, 36 years old, who was arrested for vandalising electricity cables at Imomo Community, Ijebu North-East Local Government Area, Ogun State.
“After thorough investigations, it was revealed that he committed the following offences: unlawfully disconnecting electric fittings and wires belonging to the Federal Government of Nigeria and used in transforming electricity at Ebute Eyin Osun, Idode Community, Ijebu North-East Local Government Area, Ogun State, Nigeria, within the Abeokuta Judicial Division of the Federal High Court of Nigeria, an offence contrary to Section 1(10) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act, CAP M17 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
“The exhibits recovered from the suspect at the crime scene when visited by our investigation and intelligence team are bundles of vandalised transmission cables worth millions of naira in market value and a Toyota Camry vehicle used in committing the crime with Lagos number plate: KJA-103 DF.”
The NSCDC boss disclosed further that a three-man gang was also arrested by the command for vandalising armoured cables and carting them away before they were caught by the NSCDC team in the Lafenwa area of the state.
He stated, “A trio gang suspected to have been involved in the stealing, possession, and tampering with vandalised cables worth millions of naira in market value.
“The main suspect is Sanni Mohammed Aliu, male, 40 years old, living in Lafenwa, Abeokuta, Ogun State who also invited Aliu Mohammed, male, 28 years into the gang, while the third suspect is the driver and he is Arowona Azeez, male, 42 years old, from Biobaku Street, Lafenwa, Abeokuta.
“The following exhibits were recovered from the proceedings of the suspected gang: bundles of vandalised armoured cables and a Lagos vehicle with number plate GGE-763 BR.”
Also paraded was Abiodun Taofeek, who allegedly assaulted officers of the NSCDC who tried to arrest him for trading in marijuana. Taofeek was said to have invited some hoodlums, who are now at large, to cause bodily harm to the officers while also damaging their vehicle.
Taofeek allegedly assaulted, harmed, and vandalised the properties of the NSCDC, Ijebu North-East Local Government Area Divisional officers.
The suspect, upon interrogation, was said to have confessed to “being a dealer of cannabis sativa, otherwise termed ‘marijuana’, tearing the uniforms of the Divisional Officer and his personnel, and unintentionally breaking the windscreen of a Toyota Camry with registration number plate KRY-994 DR belonging to one of the NSCDC officers at the division.”
He disclosed that the suspects would be arraigned in court upon the conclusion of the investigation while warning members of the public against acts of vandalism.
