By Boluwatife Adedokun
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State has accused the administration of Ademola Adeleke of failing to curb the alleged vandalism and looting of water schemes across several communities in the state.
The opposition party alleged that groups of individuals have been moving around communities dismantling equipment from water facilities constructed in the state. The claims were contained in a statement issued on Thursday and signed by the Osun APC Director of Media and Information, Kola Olabisi.
According to the party, the individuals involved in the activities allegedly present themselves as acting on behalf of the state government while removing components from the water projects.
“The ongoing cannibalisation and subsequent looting of some of the water schemes across the state by hoodlums suspected to be relying on the backing of the state government is criminal and unpatriotic,” the statement said.
The party further alleged that the individuals have been dismantling equipment from water schemes located in different communities and selling the removed parts.
It added that the activities of the suspected vandals had, in some cases, led to confrontations with residents who attempted to stop them from removing equipment from the facilities.
The statement cited communities including Igangan-Ijesa, Iperindo and Osu in Atakumosa East and Atakumosa West Local Government Areas, where residents reportedly resisted attempts to dismantle water scheme facilities.
According to the APC, the situation nearly led to a breakdown of law and order in some of the communities.
“It is criminal for some miscreants to be going round the state with a mission to plunder and steal the common patrimony of the state because of their closeness to the state government in one way or the other,” the statement added.
The party called on security agencies in the state to investigate the development and bring those responsible for the alleged vandalism to justice.
“The police and other security agencies in the state should extend their dragnet into this development with a view to investigating, arresting and prosecuting the masterminds of this organised crime against the state,” the statement said.
