A security source who pleaded anonymity on Saturday told our correspondent that the suspects have successfully moved out the rods from the site.
But the vehicle used to convey the items was however intercepted by some members of the Nigeria Hunters and Forest Security Service on patrol at Owode, Ede.
In a video clip of the interaction between the suspects and those that arrested them obtained by our correspondent, one of them claimed to be the driver of the vehicle used to convey the items.
The other three suspects were the construction engineer and two artisans working on the site of the project.
One of the suspects simply identified as Kehinde admitted commiting the crime, saying hard times made them to steal the items.
Osun commander of the NHFSS, Ahmed Nureni, who confirmed the incident, said the suspects were intercepted late in the evening on Thursday at Owode, Ede, along Gbongan/Osogbo road.
He said, “They are construction workers at ongoing government sponsored project in Ilesa. They told us the project is a prison construction. They ordered for the items just few weeks back.
“And they conspired to steal the rods under the cover of the night and moved it in a mini truck. The vehicle was intercepted at Owode, Ede Junction late in the evening on Thursday. We handed the suspects to the police in A Division, Ede.”
When contacted, Osun Police Command Public Relations Officer, Yemisi Opalola, said the suspects were in police custody.
“It is true. They are in our custody and investigation is ongoing into the allegations against them,” Opalola concluded.
