By Stephen Simon
Operatives of the Ogun State Community, Social Orientation and Safety Corps, popularly known as So-Safe Corps, have arrested a 31-year-old man, Babajide Usman, over the alleged burglary of Glorious Christian Bible Church in Ayede, Ifo Local Council Area of the state.
Usman was reportedly apprehended around 8:00 a.m. after he allegedly returned to the church premises, where he was said to be preparing to carry out another theft.
The state commander of the corps, Dr Soji Ganzallo, confirmed the arrest in a statement issued by the Director of Information and Public Relations, ACC Adegunwa Adegbuyi, in Abeokuta.
According to Ganzallo, the suspect had allegedly broken into the church the previous night before returning the following morning.
He said the Area Commander of the Coker-Ibogun Area Command, ACC David Sanni, and his operatives responded to the report and arrested Usman inside the church premises.
Preliminary investigations indicated that the suspect allegedly gained entry into the church at about 9:00 p.m. on Sunday by scaling the fence.
He was accused of removing copper pipes attached to four air-conditioning units before leaving the premises.
Ganzallo said the suspect allegedly admitted during preliminary questioning that he sold the stolen copper pipes to scrap dealers, commonly referred to as “Bola.”
The commander added that after apparently succeeding in the first operation, Usman allegedly returned to the church the next morning with the intention of stealing roofing sheets.
The recovered items have since been transferred to the Ifo Police Divisional Headquarters for further investigation and possible prosecution.
Ganzallo urged churches, businesses and residents across the state to improve their security arrangements and promptly alert security agencies whenever suspicious movements or activities are observed.
