The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Osun State Command has arrested nine suspects for alledgedly tampering with meters in their residences to circumvent appropriate payment for energy consumed.
According to a press release signed by the command spokesperson, Kehinde Adeleke, a copy made available to Osun Daily on Friday, stated that te suspects were arrested at Owode along ilesa road in Osun State, on 28th March at about 8:000pm during a joint task force operation of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Osun State Command and Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC)
The Commamd Commandant Agboola Sunday revealed that, nine (9) suspects were caught in the act, nine(8) males and one (1) female .
“The command has a stong synergy with IBEDC, our personnel went on a joint task force operation with the company, round Osogbo in search of those manipulating meters in the state.
“It is not going to be business as usual as the command is ready to put a stop to this act” Osun NSCDC boss said.
He stated further that energy theft, vandalism and other vices are major setbacks mitigating the development of the country.
‘’We shall leave no stone unturned to bring the perpetrators of energy theft to book, NSCDC will keep arresting those people, to serve as deterrent to those engaging in criminal infractions such as vandalism, bypass, illegal connection, load diversion and others” Commandant Agboola said .
He urged members of the public to be part of continuing efforts aimed at safeguarding critical national assets in their neighbourhood by reporting the activities of vandals and saboteurs to nearest NSCDC in their environment.
The State commandant who revealed that the suspects made a confessional statement admitting the commission of the energy theft said they shall be prosecuted in a court of competent jurisdiction to serve as deterrent to others who are tampering with meters installed in their residences.
Commandant Agboola also warned non-staff of IBEDC to steer clear of power installations whom under the guise of maintenance encroach on these facilities.
