The Ogun State Community, Social Orientation and Safety Corps, codenamed So-Safe, says its operatives arrested one Ezekiel Thankgod, an ex-convict, for allegedly stealing an air conditioning facility in the Ojuore area of Sango, Ogun State.
The Corps Commandant, Soji Ganzallo, disclosed this in a statement through the Office of the Director of Information and Public Relations, Moruf Yusuf, on Thursday.
Ganzallo revealed that Thankgod was apprehended by So-Safe operatives during a routine patrol of the area in the early hours of Wednesday.
He added that the suspect, who resides in a neighbouring street to where he perpetrated the alleged theft and vandalism, confessed to the crime upon interrogation by the corps.
The 24-year-old suspect was said to have also disclosed that he was an ex-convict who was just released from a correctional facility in January.
Ganzallo said, “Thankgod, a resident of Tokis Street, Behind Covenant Store, Ojuore, was caught vandalising and stealing a Royal Air Conditioner (Model: R410 Outdoor) from Covenant Stores, Oju-Ore, in the Ado Odo Ota Local Government Area.
“During the preliminary investigation, conducted by ACC Samuel Yusuf, the Iyesi Area Commander of the Corps, it was revealed that the apprehended suspect had been previously arrested for similar offences.
“He has a history of stealing money and phones and was released from a correctional centre in January this year. The suspect confessed to the crime and disclosed that he resides anywhere, mentioning his association with Oloko Community in Ota.”
The So-Safe boss noted that exhibit such as charms, cowries, and a lighter, among others, were recovered from the suspect.
He added that the suspect and the exhibits have been transferred to the Nigeria Police Force for onward investigation and prosecution.
“Various items, including charms, a local instrument used for drug paraphernalia, a lighter, a local ring, and cowries, were found on the suspect.
“The suspect, along with the recovered exhibit and items, has been handed over to the Nigeria Police Force, Onipanu Divisional Police Headquarters, for further investigation and possible prosecution,” Ganzallo disclosed.
PUNCH Metro reported in June 2023 that the Lagos State Police Command arrested seven suspected traffic robbers, including an ex-convict released three days ago from the Ikoyi Correctional Centre.
The command’s spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the arrest to newsmen.
Hundeyin said that the ex-convict was picked alongside others while allegedly carrying out the crime in the Ijora-Apapa area on Saturday at about 9.30pm.