In a distressing incident that unfolded at the Lekan Salami Sports Complex, Adamasingba, Ibadan, a 14 year old boy, Sulaiman Abubakar, was apprehended for allegedly stealing wire and cables within the stadium premises. The young boy, a JSS 2 student of Eleyele High School, Ibadan, was caught in the act by security officers during a training session for the Shooting Star Football Club of Ibadan on Thursday night.
According to the investigations by Sulaiman,that gained access to the main bowl of the stadium during the training session and was found pilfering the cables. Security sources revealed that the boy confessed to having spent the night in one of the rooms within the stadium after the training session, further compounding the gravity of the situation.
The incident took a heartbreaking turn when Sulaiman’s mother, who lives in the Sabo area of Mokola, arrived at the scene and saw her son in handcuffs. Overwhelmed by shock and disbelief, the distraught mother fainted on the spot. It took the efforts of the stadium workers to revive her. When she regained consciousness, she shared that her son had disobeyed her the previous night, leading to a punishment, but she could never have imagined the events that would follow.
Tunde Ajibike, the General Manager of the Oyo State Sports Council, confirmed the incident and disclosed that the boy had been handed over to the police for further investigation. Ajibike stated that the attempted theft was a serious breach of security and that appropriate measures were being taken.
Oyo State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Wasilat Adegoke, also visited the stadium to assess the damage caused by the attempted theft. During her visit, she urged the staff of the Sports Council and stakeholders at the stadium to be more vigilant in maintaining security. She stressed that protecting the stadium’s infrastructure should be a collective responsibility. The commissioner assured that the state government would enhance the security network at the Lekan Salami Sports Complex to prevent similar incidents in the future.
This incident sheds light on the growing concerns surrounding youth involvement in petty crimes and the challenges of keeping public infrastructures secure. While the young boy’s actions have shocked many, it also highlights the need for stronger community engagement and parental guidance to prevent young people from engaging in criminal activities.
As the authorities continue their investigation, the focus now shifts to how incidents like this can be prevented through improved security measures and community involvement. The story of Sulaiman Abubakar serves as a sobering reminder of the many layers of societal issues that must be addressed, from youth delinquency to the emotional toll such events take on families.