Osun Amotekun Arrests Suspects Over N4.5m Steel Theft, Burglary, Vandalism

The Osun State Security Network Agency, known as Amotekun Corps, has arrested several suspects in connection with the theft of iron steel worth over N4.5 million from a steel manufacturing company in Ede.

The Corps also disclosed that it has apprehended multiple individuals for various incidents of burglary, theft, and vandalism across the state.

In a statement released on Sunday by the Public Relations Officer, Yusuf Idowu Abass, on behalf of the Corps Commander, Brigadier General Bashir Adewinmbi (Rtd.), the main suspects arrested in the Ede theft include 26-year-old Wilson Titus and 23-year-old Gabriel Simon, both from Kaduna State, and 32-year-old Ogundele Sunday from Ekiti State.

“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,” the statement read.

Omoyele explained that the suspects, either employees or close affiliates of the company, had been stealing iron materials over time and selling them to a scrap dealer in Sabo, Ede, for prices ranging from N3,000 to N7,000 — a 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,” Omoyele said.

The total value of the stolen materials was estimated at over N4.5 million.

In a separate case, the Corps arrested 38-year-old Ogunbunmi Yemi from Ila-Orangun for breaking into a residence and stealing household items including a television set, generator, and iron materials. The suspect reportedly told operatives he intended to sell the items to support himself.

Also arrested were 28-year-old Gbadegesin Ibrahim and 32-year-old Biodun Akindele in connection with separate cases of theft and vandalism.

Gbadegesin, a resident of Osogbo, was 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 tracked to his hiding location and arrested after a complaint was filed.

Akindele, also from Osogbo, was apprehended while vandalising a newly constructed building within the Ede North Local Government premises. He was reportedly caught red-handed while attempting to remove aluminium fittings after forcibly breaking into the property.

Commending his operatives for their swift action, Omoyele lauded the Intelligence Unit of the Corps for facilitating the surveillance operation that led to the bust of the Ede steel theft ring.

“Our operatives acted swiftly following reports of consistent theft at the company. Surveillance was established, and the suspects were apprehended while committing the crime,” he said.

He added that all suspects would be charged to court and prosecuted to serve as a deterrent to others.

The Corps Commander urged the public to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activity, stressing that community collaboration remains vital for effective security in the state.