By Abimbola Ogunnaike
Operatives of the Kwara State Police Command have arrested a 46-year-old security guard, Yusuf Abdulwasiu, and a plumber with the Kwara State Ministry of Water Resources simply identified as Aro, over alleged theft of water treatment chemicals.
Also in police custody with the two are six other suspects: Abdulrasheed Salawudeen, 21; Taiye Issa, 35; Olarewaju Yusuf, 40; Toyin Kazeem; and one AbdulKadri Issa Olayiwola, 34; the alleged mastermind and receiver of the ‘stolen’ facilities
They were arrested around 11:30 pm on Tuesday, 4 June, 2024, following a routine patrol near the ministry’s gate, where suspicious activity was observed involving a commercial shuttle bus with registration number ABA804YG.
It was gathered that the anti-kidnapping team of the command intercepted the bus loaded with water treatment chemicals after its driver attempted to evade arrest.
Aro, the plumber in the ministry, was alleged to have duplicated the key to the ministry’s store to facilitate the theft.
Sources said detectives while interrogating the suspects discovered that they had already carted away 50 bags of chemicals before they were intercepted on their third trip.
The State Public Relations Officer, Toun Ejire- Adeyemi, confirmed the development on Friday, 14 June, 20243, saying “some suspects are being held in connection with the stolen water treatment chemicals.
“25 bags of the items were retrieved from them as of the time of the arrest. The command is still on the trail of other suspects fingered in the alleged theft.
