Operatives of the Ondo State Police Command have arrested a suspect over an alleged attempt to poison a stream serving as the primary source of drinking water for residents of Aponmu-Lona, a community in Idanre Local Government Area of the state.
The suspect, identified as Philips Odefila, was apprehended by members of the community who reportedly caught him in the act. He was subsequently handed over to the police for further investigation.
The traditional ruler of the community, Chief Babalola Bolujare, the Olu of Aponmu-Lona, said the incident occurred amid rising tension following the alleged invasion of the community by suspected hoodlums.
Bolujare, while speaking with journalists on Friday disclosed that the community had earlier petitioned the Inspector General of Police and the Department of State Services over the activities of armed men accused of destroying cocoa plantations and other farmlands.
He explained that while security agencies were still investigating the earlier invasion, the situation escalated when some individuals allegedly attempted to contaminate the community’s only source of drinking water.
According to the monarch, vigilant residents intercepted the suspect during the alleged act, leading to his arrest, while security operatives were immediately alerted.
He said, “We have petitioned the Inspector General of Police over the invasion of our community by some armed thugs who destroyed our cocoa plantations and other crops. They claimed that the land belongs to the person who sent them.
“But while the investigation into the invasion is still going on, some people went to poison the stream that we are drinking from in our community. Thank God that they sighted them when they were poisoning the water, and one of them was arrested by the people of our community.
They contacted the police, and he was handed over to the police for investigation.”
The monarch called on the Inspector General of Police to ensure that justice is served and warned against any attempt to sweep the matter under the carpet.
”We are calling on the Inspector General of Police to help us out by ensuring a proper investigation into this incident and the prosecution of the culprits. He should ensure this matter is not swept under the carpet,” he added.
Confirming the development, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Abayomi Jimoh, said the command had commenced investigation into the allegation and one suspect is currently in custody.
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