Ogun farmer arrested over for alleged theft of pineapples

The Ogun State Police Command has arrested a 53-year-old farmer, Oloyede David, for allegedly stealing three bags of pineapples from a fellow farmer’s plantation in Orile-Ilugun, Odeda Local Government Area.  

According to reports, another farmer caught David harvesting pineapples from a plantation belonging to Ola Omotayo, an indigene of Ilesa, Osun State. A community source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed the incident, citing the sensitivity of the matter.

“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.

News360 Nigeria reports that the command spokesperson, Omolola Odutola, stated that police operatives from the Orile-Ilugun outstation apprehended the suspect around 11:58 am 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 added that David was taken to the police station along with the recovered produce, and the Divisional Crime Branch had taken over the case.

News360 Nigeria previously reported a similar arrest in January in the same local government, where a suspect identified as Akintoye Waris allegedly stole and slaughtered a Savannah he-goat worth N200,000 for his child’s naming ceremony.

The suspect, along with an accomplice, raided a farm in the area to steal the goat after ensuring that the farm owner had taken the cattle out for grazing.