The police in Lagos have arrested an official of the Lagos State Waste Management Authority, Ibrahim Alli, for allegedly vandalising and stealing the cables that supplied power to streetlights in the Opebi, Ikeja area of the state. It was learnt that 29-year-old Alli, said to be a member of a two-man syndicate, was arrested on Friday, September 25, in the area. The police said the suspect works with LAWMA in the Onipanu area, while his accomplice, identified only as Yunusa, evaded arrest. They said a manhunt had been launched for him.
Our correspondent learnt that the police recovered items, including electrical cables, a shovel, a LAWMA identity card, and one wristwatch from the suspect. Alli, from Adamawa State, in his statement to the police, confessed to the crime, adding that it was Yunusa who introduced the idea to him. He added that he was usually given only N1,500 from the sale of the cables. He said:
“Yunusa and I went to Opebi in Lagos at about 12.30am to steal the cables. Yunusa is the one who sold the cables. I do not know the receiver. I only assisted him in taking the cables from the place. He gave me N1,500 after the sales. I work with the Lagos State Waste Management Authority at Onipanu. I am not contented with the money being paid to us. Yunusa was the one who led me to the crime.”
The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Joe Offor, confirmed the arrest. He added that efforts were on to apprehend the fleeing member. He said:
“Policemen, who were on routine patrol in the area, sighted the two men vandalising the streetlight cables, which had left the entire community in darkness. One of the suspects was apprehended, while the second suspect escaped.”
A police source added that the suspect had been charged to court.