The Lagos state police has arrested three soldiers who were caught vandalizing solar panels worth N100 million mounted in public schools.
Suspected thieves caught by the police (File photo)
Three soldiers - Sulaimo Usman, Olalekan Sunday and Olajide Busayo - have been dismissed and remanded in prison custody for their alleged involvement in the vandalization of solar panels and batteries worth N100m mounted in public schools in Lagos.
According to PM Express, some traders at the Military Arena Market at Oshodi where they reportedly sold the solar panels at give away prices were also thrown into prison. The traders were Michael Omerede, Chibueze Nnamani and other suspects Ifedayo Odufuye and Philip Efose.
The suspects were arrested and paraded by the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr Imohinmi Edgal before they were arraigned in court for remand. During the parade, the suspects confessed and explained their roles in the vandalization of the panels worth over N100m mounted in some schools by the Lagos State Government under the Ministry of Education.
Some of the schools mentioned were Government colleges at Epe and Badagry areas of Lagos, which threw the schools into darkness.
According to the police boss, the police arrested the suspects following reports that the solar panels and batteries were removed from the school by unknown vandals. He said he dispatched his men who traced the batteries to the Oshodi market where some of the items were removed and the suspects arrested.
They were charged before Ikeja Magistrates court for the alleged offence. Their plea was not taken. Rather the presiding Magistrate, Mrs B,O.Osunsanmi ordered the suspects to be remanded in prison custody.
The court also directed the prosecutor to duplicate their files and send to DPP for advice. The matter was adjourned till 21 November for the report of DPP advice to be available.