Photo: Alleged electric cable thief caught in Lagos

Men of the Lagos state Rapid Response Squad have arrested 29 year old Lucky Udeagwu (pictured) who is a member of a suspected three-man gang that specialize in vandalizing and stealing cables meant for the Light Up Lagos Project, an initiative of the Lagos state government designed to set up functioning street lights.

Lucky was apprehended at about 3am on Saturday April 2nd by the RRS officers in Ogudu area of the state with 35 metre long armoured cable of the Light Up Lagos Project in Ogudu area of the state.

When interrogated, Lucky denied committing the crime. He said he was on his way in search of a job at Ikorodu at about 3am when he saw two young men carrying a bag filled with cables. The young men dumped the bag and took to their heels when they sighted police men on patrol. He said he too took to his heels but was arrested by the officers after they pursued and caught up with him.

“I got to Ogudu Bus Stop something to 3:00 a.m. on Saturday. I got out early because I was searching for work. I wanted to get to Ikorodu early so that I can get site job. I saw those two boys brought that bag from a nearby bus and as soon as they saw the police, they ran and I followed them.”

On the spanners and screwdrivers found in his bag, Lucky said‎ they were used to service his generator which he had sold about a year ago.

"It is true I was arrested at about 3:11 a.m. because the officer a showed me the clock in his car. I am not one of those boys,” Mr. Udeagwu added.

The police said the suspect was sighted coming out of the bush towards Ogudu Bus Stop by RRS operatives. Speaking on his arrest, a police Inspector and the leader of the RRS team, Bello Kabir said

“Early this Saturday morning, we saw Lucky and two other guys carrying a big sack coming towards Ogudu Bus Stop. Because it was a straight road, we could see them from afar. They dropped the bag at the Bus Stop. As they sighted RRS vehicle, they took to their heels in different directions but we caught Lucky. We were suspicious that what could make them run when they saw us must be something criminal. We checked the bag and we saw a 35 meter long armoured cable. Beside the bag was a camouflage cap. On the spot, we searched him (Mr. Udeagwu). We found in his small bag, screw driver, 10 spanner and a T – shirt. The 10 spanner is the size of the bolts covering the street lights in this area”.

Lucky will soon be charged to court. ads