Osun State Commissioner of Police, CP Mohammed Umar Abba has warned that the receipt of stolen goods is a more severe crime than theft.
CP Umar Abba issued the warning during a meeting with members of the Osun State branch of the Scrap Dealers Association on Tuesday.
The Osun police boss also frowned at the rising cases of theft of household, companies and government items perpetuated through the activities of scavengers in the state.
In a statement issued at the end of the meeting and signed by the command’s spokesperson, Yemisi Opalola, CP Abba said the rising cases of theft included electricity cables and the sale of stolen goods to scrap dealers.
Warming the members of the association not to receive stolen goods, he insisted that doing so encouraged theft.
The statement reads, “The CP frowned at the rising trend of Scavengers activities in the State, ranging from Stealing from Households, Companies, Government facilities, especially Electricity cables and the Sale of the stolen goods to Scrap Dealers.
“He sternly warned the association that receiving stolen properties is a more severe offense than stealing, as it enables and encourages theft, noting that if there are no buyers, there will not be sellers.”
He noted that the scavengers vandalising poser cables can have severe consequences on the power grid.
“Additionally, the CP highlighted the recent cases of scavengers vandalizing power cables in transformers and power lines, which can have severe consequences on the power grid and potentially escalate into a national crisis.
“The CP urged the association to implement mechanisms to verify the authenticity of goods sold to them and report suspicious individuals masquerading as scavengers to the Police.
“Failure to comply with this directive will result in constant raids on their shops and scrap yards, holding everyone accountable.
“The CP emphasised the importance of collaboration with the Police as an effective means of preventing theft, receiving stolen goods, and vandalization of power infrastructure, and to safeguard Osun State as a whole,” she stated.