The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Osun Command says six suspected energy thieves are in its custody.

The command said this in a statement by its Public Relations Officer, Kehinde Adeleke, in Osogbo.

Ms Adeleke quoted the NSCDC’s state commandant, Sunday Agboola, as saying that the suspects were arrested during a joint operation of the command and the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC).

According to Mr Agboola, the suspects were arrested on Thursday in the Ota-Efun area of Osogbo.

Mr Agboola said the suspects allegedly confessed to the crime.

The commandant called on members of the public to be a part of the command’s renewed efforts at safeguarding critical national assets in their neighbourhood by reporting the activities of vandals to the corps.

He added that the command also arrested another 40-year-old suspect, Sodiq Ayanleye, for alleged N13 million fraud.

According to him, the suspect collected the sum from his victim under the pretence of wanting to buy five plots of land for him in Ikorodu, Lagos State.

The NSCDC’s state commandant, however, said that obtaining money under false pretence contravened Section 419 of the criminal code of conduct, Section 1 of the Advanced Fee Fraud Act, and other related offences.

He assured members of the public that the suspects would be prosecuted in a court of competent jurisdiction to serve as a deterrent to other would-be offenders

(NAN)