Landlord Nabbed for Allegedly Stealing Electrical Cable in Apete

Residents of Apete, a suburb of Ibadan, Oyo State, were left in shock after a landlord in the community was apprehended for allegedly stealing electrical cables belonging to the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC).

The suspect names withheld, was reportedly caught in the act late Tuesday night by local vigilantes after several weeks of recurring power disruptions in the area.

Eyewitnesses told reporters that residents of Papa and other parts of Apete have been battling irregular power supply following repeated cases of cable theft, which left many homes in darkness and caused damage to electrical installations.

“We have been experiencing poor electricity for weeks. Each time IBEDC fixes the cables, thieves return to steal them again. Nobody expected that one of our own landlords could be responsible,” said a resident who preferred not to be named.

The suspect was said to have been handed over to security operatives for further investigation, while community leaders have called for increased surveillance around power installations.

An IBEDC official in the area, who confirmed the arrest, described the incident as “unfortunate,” noting that such acts contribute to extended blackouts and huge financial losses for the company.

“Cable theft not only disrupts power supply but also puts lives at risk. We urge communities to remain vigilant and report suspicious movements around electrical infrastructure,” the official added.

Residents have since appealed to the police to prosecute the suspect to serve as a deterrent to others engaging in similar acts.

The incident underscores a growing trend of infrastructure vandalism in Ibadan and other parts of Oyo State, where power equipment and cables have increasingly become targets of theft amid rising economic hardship.