The Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company Plc has suspended its staff arrested by the Osun State Police Command in connection with the alleged vandalism of electricity infrastructure in Ikirun, Osun State.
The Coordinating Head, Corporate Services, Angela Olanrewaju, disclosed this in a statement released on Wednesday.
“Staff members implicated in the matter have been suspended pending the outcome of the investigation,” she said.
Olanrewaju said IBEDC would fully support the Nigeria Police Force in the ongoing investigation to ensure a thorough, transparent and impartial process.
“The company is fully cooperating with the Nigeria Police Force in the ongoing investigation and supports efforts to ensure a thorough, transparent and impartial process,” Olanrewaju said.
“IBEDC will take appropriate internal disciplinary action in line with its policies and applicable laws. We maintain a zero-tolerance policy towards vandalism, theft of electricity infrastructure and all forms of unethical or criminal conduct,” she added.
Olanrewaju noted that vandalism of electricity infrastructure had become a growing concern in recent times, with significant consequences for electricity supply, customers, communities and the company.
“IBEDC has consistently raised concerns about the increasing incidence of vandalism and the damage it causes to critical electricity assets, resulting in prolonged outages, service disruptions and avoidable inconvenience to customers,” Olanrewaju said.
She restated that the company would continue to support law enforcement agencies and relevant authorities to ensure that anyone found culpable faced the full weight of the law.
IBEDC also urged customers, community leaders and members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities around electricity infrastructure through appropriate channels.
“The company remains committed to transparency, accountability and the protection of critical electricity infrastructure across its franchise area,” Olanrewaju said.
NAIJAONPOINT reports that the Osun State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of four staff of the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company, IBEDC, and two others for allegedly vandalising and stealing a high-tension power line pole in Ikirun.
The command Public Relations Officer, Osun Command, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, in a statement on Tuesday, explained that police operatives attached to the Ikirun Division arrested the suspects.
Those arrested are Onabamiji Emmanuel, 55; Bolaji Odusanya, 51; Alimi Akeem, 36; Balogun Kehinde, 52, all staff members of IBEDC; and two welders, Oyewo Hammed, 31, and Oladosu Hammed, 22.
The statement said the police operatives stormed Eko-Ende Junction, Ikirun, at about 6:0 a.m and arrested the six suspects who were allegedly found cutting the high-tension pole with a cutting machine powered by a generating plant.
The police said the syndicate is suspected to be responsible for the incessant vandalisation of cables and other electrical assets that have plunged Ikirun and its environs into darkness in the last few months.
Exhibits recovered from the suspects, according to the statement, include a cutting machine, a generating plant and a welding machine allegedly used in carrying out the act.
Olamilekan Adigun is a graduate of Mass Communication with years of experience in journalism embedded in uncovering human interest stories. He also prioritises accuracy and factual reportage of issues.
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