The Osun State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) said it has arrested at least 100 persons for alleged energy theft in the past seven months in different parts of the state.
Sunday Agboola, the commandant of Osun NSCDC, said the suspects were arrested during a joint operation of the command and the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC).
He stated this on Monday at the NSCDC headquarters, when seven suspects were paraded for alleged energy theft.
The suspects, he affirmed, were arrested on October 13 in Awosuru, Alekuwodo, Jaleyemi, Omigbade, and Ogo-Oluwa areas of Osogbo and had allegedly confessed to the crime.
The NSCDC commandant expressed surprise that, in spite of the several arrests made by the command, some people were still hell-bent on the illegal act.
“The offence is known as economic sabotage, and it is one of the factors militating against the development of the nation. We will not rest on our oars until we see positive changes,” he said.
Commenting on the arrest of the 100 suspects, IBEDC’s communication officer for Osun, Kikelomo Owoeye, confirmed that the suspects were arrested between April and October.
According to her, energy theft includes metre by-passing, metre tampering, and illegal connections.
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