By Bukola Olamona

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Ondo State Command has confirmed the arrest of two individuals allegedly involved in separate incidents of theft and criminal activities within Akure metropolis.

The command’s Public Relations Officer, DSC Daniel Aidamenbor, said in a statement that in the first case, Solomon Shina, a 28-year old  of No. 15, Ijala Street, Arakale, Akure, was apprehended on January 24, 2025, for allegedly stealing a Toyota Hilux van, 2014 model, belonging to his friend, one Ojo Olumuyiwa Anthony.

Shina, who initially claimed to be a military officer with the 32 Brigade Artillery, Owena Cantonment, later admitted to taking the vehicle without the owner’s consent for an undisclosed assignment.

He then returned to report that the vehicle had been stolen.

Upon investigation, it was discovered that Shina had never been enlisted in the Nigerian Army.

Further inquiry revealed inconsistencies in his statements regarding the vehicle’s theft.

Investigators are still working to determine if there were other accomplices involved and to recover the vehicle, which is registered to the Ondo State Government.

In a separate incident,  24-year old Olotua Samuel, a waiter at Perry Bubbles Lodge in Ijoka, Akure, was arrested on January 20, 2025, for stealing from his workplace.

The lodge’s owner, Mr. Akinnawo Ola Gbenga, reported that Samuel had been giving customers his personal bank account details for payments, while altering the hotel’s stock ledger to cover up the theft.

At the time of his arrest, Samuel had stolen a total of N795,000.

He is currently under investigation, and the police have assured that he will be prosecuted in accordance with the law.

Meanwhile, the State Commandant has issued a stern warning to criminals in the state, urging them to leave or face the full consequences of their actions.