Oloyede David, a 53-year-old farmer, was taken into custody by the Ogun State Police Command on suspicion of stealing three bags of pineapples from a neighbour’s plantation in Orile-Ilugun, Odeda Local Government Area.
It was learnt on Wednesday that another farmer had seen the suspect picking pineapples from a fellow farmers plantation in the community.
According to a community source who spoke under the condition of anonymity because of the delicate nature of the situation, stated that Ola Omotayo, an indigenous person from Ilesa, Osun State, is reportedly the owner of the farm.
“The farm belongs to Omotayo, a native of Ilesha. A local farmer in the area spotted the suspect harvesting pineapples that were not his.
“He immediately alerted other farmers in the community, who helped apprehend David. The pineapples he had harvested were valued at over ₦90,000,” the source said.
The command spokesperson, Omolola Odutola, confirmed the arrest on Wednesday, saying that the suspect was taken into custody by police officers from the Orile-Ilugun outstation at around 11:58 a.m. on Tuesday.
Odutola stated, “The farmer who caught the suspect harvesting the pineapples quickly alerted other farmers in the area, who helped apprehend David.
“The suspect was caught with three bags of pineapples, valued at approximately N90,000. The farm owner arrived at the scene soon after and confirmed the theft.
“Omotayo further alleged that pineapples valued at approximately N650,000 and a submassive pumping machine worth N180,000 had been stolen from her farm in the past.”
Odutola continued by saying that the Divisional Crime Branch had taken over the investigation and that David and the recovered produce has been taken to the police station.
