A teenager, Abiodun Adewuyi, arraigned before a Chief Magistrates’ Court, sitting in Ede, Osun State, for stealing water taps, has been sentenced to three years imprisonment.

The Osun State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps had dragged Adewuyi, aged 18 years, before the court after he was caught removing the items in the Durodola community in Owode-Ede town.

While given other details about the case in a statement signed by the command spokesperson, Kehinde Adeleke, obtained in Osogbo on Wednesday, the Osun NSCDC said the suspect was caught in a building removing the taps on April 16 at about 5:40 pm in Durodola.

It further read in parts, “The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps Osun State Command has arraigned one Adewuyi Jamiu Abiodun (m) 18 years for stealing seven brass water taps.

“The suspect was arrested on April 16 at Durodola community, Owode Ede, Osun State at about 1740hrs where he was caught removing two brass water taps.

“At the point of arrest, he had a total number of seven water taps in his possession and discreet investigation further revealed that whenever he stole water taps, he sold the stolen items to buyers of scrap metals.”

The command noted that the offence committed was contrary to Section 390 of the Criminal Code Law of Osun State.

The suspect was arraigned on Monday, April 22, at the Magistrate Court in Ede, Osun State, before Chief Magistrate V.A. Adedokun, where he was sentenced to three years imprisonment.

In his reaction, the Osun NSCDC Commandant, Dr Michael Adaralewa, called on parents and guardians to warn their children and wards against acts capable of bringing their family’s name into disrepute.

Adaralewa subsequently declared that the NSCDC would not allow criminals to hide in any part of the state and called for timely intelligence from members of the public to prevent crimes.