Operatives of the Osun State Security Network Agency, better known as Amotekun Corps, have arrested several individuals suspected of stealing iron steel valued at more than N4.5 million from a steel manufacturing company located in Ede.
The Corps, in a statement released on Sunday by its Public Relations Officer, Yusuf Idowu Abass, and signed by the Corps Commander, Isaac Omoyele, disclosed that the arrested suspects include 26-year-old Wilson Titus and 23-year-old Gabriel Simon, both hailing from Kaduna State, as well as 32-year-old Ogundele Sunday from Ekiti State.
Omoyele said, “they were arrested by Amotekun operatives for conspiring to steal large quantities of iron steel from their workplace, a steel manufacturing company located in Ede.”
Further investigations revealed that the suspects, who either work for or are affiliated with the company, had been systematically pilfering the materials and selling them at a scrap yard in Sabo, Ede.
The items were reportedly sold at prices ranging from N3,000 to N7,000 — a small fraction of their market value.
“Upon interrogation, Wilson confessed that this was not their first involvement in such criminal activity. He admitted that they had been conducting the thefts for a long time before their recent attempt was foiled during a surveillance operation by Amotekun,” the Corps Commander added.
Omoyele emphasized that, “The stolen materials are estimated to be worth over N4.5 million.”
In another operation, the Corps apprehended a 38-year-old suspect, Ogunbunmi Yemi, from Ila-Orangun, who allegedly broke into a residential building and made away with household items including a television set, a generator, and iron steel.
The suspect later admitted that his actions were driven by the need to sell the items to support himself.
The security outfit also recorded additional arrests involving 28-year-old Gbadegesin Ibrahim and 32-year-old Biodun Akindele over incidents of theft and vandalism.
The statement stated, “Gbadegesin Ibrahim, from Osogbo, was also taken into custody after being linked to the theft of iron steel in Eleweran, Ile-Ife, and the stealing of an Itel mobile phone at Toll Gate, Ile-Ife. He was apprehended after a complaint was lodged with Amotekun, who then tracked him to his hiding location.”
“Biodun Akinwale, also from Osogbo, was caught red-handed while removing aluminium fabricators from a newly constructed building within the Ede North Local Government premises. He had forcibly broken the windows and fittings before being spotted by a resident who promptly alerted the authorities.”
Praising the dedication of his operatives, Omoyele commended their swift and precise response, which he said was made possible by the agency’s intelligence-gathering efforts.
“Our operatives acted swiftly following reports of consistent theft at the company. Surveillance was established, and the suspects were apprehended while committing the crime.
“They confessed to having sold stolen iron steel in the past for as low as N3,000, while the actual value of the stolen materials exceeds N4.5 million,” Omoyele stated.
He further assured that all those apprehended will face legal prosecution to serve as a warning to others.
Omoyele urged residents to remain alert and report any suspicious behavior to the Corps or other security agencies, stressing that collaboration between the community and security agencies is essential to maintaining safety across the state.