Two teenagers identified by their first names, Jelili and Babatunde, have been nabbed by members of the Nigeria Hunters and Forest Security Service for stealing a high-tension electricity cable in Arola village in Ede, Osun State.
A security source who was present when the suspects were arrested by the hunters, laid in the bush, waiting for them, during an interview with PUNCH Metro on Wednesday, said the suspects were nabbed around 3:30 pm in the bush in Arola village on Tuesday.
Before they were picked up, he said, the suspects, had successfully cut an electricity cable from high-tension poles in the area and were about to flee the scene.
The source, who pleaded to remain anonymous for security reasons, however, said hunters had monitored the activities of the suspects within the area over some time before they were eventually arrested while perpetrating the crime.
“We caught them around 3:30 pm inside the bush. The operatives of the Nigeria Hunters and Forest Security Service in Ede arrested the two suspected vandals on Tuesday.
“They were caught stealing high-tension cable around the Akoda/Arola area in Ede. The first suspect is identified as Babatunde, while the second suspect is Akeem. They are both 19 years of age. We have handed them over to the NSCDC officers for further investigation.
“We have monitored the suspects over a period of time. Criminals are using the bush for cover, but it was easy for us to lay in the bush and get them because we know the terrain very well,” the security source said.
When contacted, the spokesperson for the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in Osun State, Kehinde Adeleke, said the suspects were in the custody of the command.
She said, “It is true. They are in our custody. The investigation is progressing well. They may go to court on Thursday.”