A 40-year-old man, Jide Fadipe, has been arrested for allegedly vandalizing a government primary school building at Ilaje-Area of Ilesa, Osun State.
The suspect, who resides in the school area, removed the roofing sheets and sold them to scrap dealers.
Luck was against Fadipe who was arrested by operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Osun State Command recently.
The State Commandant, Michael Adaralewa said some members of the public from Ilesa had earlier reported to the command that some unscrupulous elements had been vandalizing the school building by removing the iron sheets and other valuables in the school. According to him, “The command subsequently mounted surveillance around the school area to apprehend the perpetrators.
“On Tuesday, 4th June, 2024, the suspect was seen around 5am, removing the roofing sheets. He, thereafter, moved the stolen items down to his house and was apprehended while he was trying to sell the materials to metal scraps buyers in Ilesa, Osun State.” Adaralewa said Section 451 of the Criminal Code law Cap 34, Laws of Osun State, Nigeria, states that “any person who willfully and unlawfully destroys or damages any property is guilty of an offence and is liable”
He assured members of the public that the suspect would face the full wrath of the law, to serve as a deterrent to others who are fond of destroying government property.
In a chat with the suspect, he blamed hunger for the act, adding that he intended to sell the roofing sheets to fend for himself and his family members.
According to him, he has three children and that he is a bricklayer but since the rainy season started, he has not been getting jobs.
