Sulaiman Abubakar, a 14-year-old schoolboy, was arrested by security personnel at the Lekan Salami Sports Complex, Adamasingba in Ibadan, Oyo State, on suspicion of stealing cables and wires from the facility.
On Thursday night, Abubakar, a JSS 2 student at Eleyele High School in Ibadan, was accused of stealing the goods from the stadium’s main bowl. During the Shooting Star Football Club of Ibadan’s practice, he was allowed entry into the main bowl.
He had admitted to sleeping in one of the rooms following the training, according to a knowledgeable security source.
“He (suspect) said, during an interrogation, that he slept in one of the rooms overnight after the security officers securely locked all entrances to the main bowl,” the security source said.
One of the traders, who preferred anonymity, also said, “Upon interrogation, the boy confirmed that he broke the pipes with a big stone to cut the camera cables and wires that connect the canopy light.
“He also admitted that he planned to sell it. And the items stolen, according to people, were estimated to be N300,000.00.”
It was also learned that the suspect’s mother, who resides in Mokola’s Sabo Area, reportedly passed out upon witnessing her son in handcuffs.
“It took the intervention of the stadium workers to revive her. When she later regained consciousness, she stated that the boy offended her the previous night and he was penalised,” she said.
Tunde Ajibike, the state Sports Council’s general manager, confirmed the occurrence when reached. According to Ajibike, he has subsequently been turned over to the police for additional examination.
“Yes, it was true. The state Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Wasilat Adegoke, has visited the scene of the incident.
“The commissioner, after visiting the stadium for an on-the-spot assessment of the damage caused by the attempted theft, admonished members of staff of the Sports Council, the landlords of the Stadium, to be more vigilant.
“She said maintenance of security at the stadium is the responsibility of all stakeholders. The commissioner pledged that the State Government will strengthen the security network of the sports complex to guide against future occurrences,” the Sports Council GM said.
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