A landlord in Apete, Ibadan, has been apprehended for stealing electrical cables, worsening the power supply crisis in the area. Residents of Papa and Apete express outrage over frequent cable theft disrupting electricity in recent weeks.
Landlord Arrested for Stealing Electrical Cable in Apete, Oyo State: A landlord arrested for stealing electrical cable in Apete has sparked outrage among residents, who say the act has worsened the already unstable power supply plaguing the community.
According to eyewitnesses, the incident occurred on wednesday when the suspect, identified as a property owner in the Papa area of Apete, was caught in the act of removing electrical cables belonging to the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC).
The suspect was reportedly apprehended by vigilant residents who had been monitoring the area following repeated cases of electricity cable theft that plunged parts of Apete into darkness for weeks.
Eyewitness accounts revealed that residents of Papa, Awotan, and Arola communities had endured severe power shortages due to the activities of vandals who routinely tamper with electricity installations.
“We have been battling irregular power supply for weeks now. Each time the power is restored, it goes off again because someone always steals the cables,” one resident said. “Last night, we were shocked to discover that it was a landlord among us who was behind it.”
Residents said the arrest followed coordinated community surveillance set up after several complaints to IBEDC and the police yielded no results. The surveillance team, comprising local youths and landlords, mounted night patrols around key transformer points in the area.
“Around midnight, we noticed suspicious movement near the transformer. When we approached, we saw him cutting the wires. We couldn’t believe it was a landlord,” another resident narrated.
The suspect was immediately apprehended and handed over to officers of the Apete Police Division for investigation.
When contacted, a police source confirmed the arrest, stating that the suspect is currently assisting the police with further investigation. The source added that the suspect would be charged to court upon the completion of the investigation.
Meanwhile, residents have appealed to the Oyo State Government and IBEDC to provide more security around power installations in the area to prevent a recurrence.
Community leaders also urged residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the appropriate authorities.
Chief Akinola Adeyemi, the Baale of Apete, described the incident as “a sad reflection of the moral decay in society,” emphasizing that it was shameful for a landlord to sabotage a community he belongs to.
“It is disheartening that a landlord, who should protect his environment, is now contributing to its hardship. The community will not tolerate such acts. We have resolved to cooperate with the police to ensure justice is served,” the Baale said.
Electricity cable theft has become a recurring issue in Ibadan and other parts of Oyo State, leading to prolonged blackouts, equipment damage, and increased repair costs for both residents and the IBEDC.
According to the electricity distribution company, millions of naira have been lost to vandalism in recent months, resulting in a decline in service delivery.
In a recent statement, IBEDC warned that vandals and cable thieves would face severe legal consequences, adding that communities should take proactive measures to safeguard power installations.
The viral video of the landlord arrested for stealing electrical cable in Apete has been circulating on social media, drawing widespread condemnation from Nigerians who expressed disappointment and disbelief.
Many online users called for stiffer penalties for cable vandals to deter others from engaging in the crime.
As the investigation continues, residents of Apete hope that justice will be served swiftly to discourage further vandalism that has left many households in darkness.
𝗙𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗢𝘂𝗿 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁𝘀𝗔𝗽𝗽 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗹 𝗧𝗼 𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗟𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝘀 𝗔𝘀 𝗜𝘁'𝘀 𝗗𝗿𝗼𝗽!
