R-E-V-E-A-L-E-D: Rich Nigerians sponsor us –Pipeline vandal

...Suspects

A suspected pipeline vandal, Ismaila Sulaiman, has said rich Nigerian men are behind vandalisation of pipelines and theft of petroleum products. Sulaiman, Nasiru Adamu, Abdullahi Isa, Garuba Lawal and Musa Abubakar were arrested around Olurunda at Ogun /Oyo border village.

Sulaiman, a member of a gang that specialised in stealing petrol from vandalised pipelines in Ogun and Oyo states, said this when he was

arrested with four others by policemen attached to the Force Headquarters.

Explaining their modus operandi, Suleiman said as soon as a strategic NNPC pipeline was spotted, they would drill through the main pipeline and with the aid of valves easily transfer the petrol to their tankers.

“It is a very big business sponsored by very rich Nigerians. We load more than 10 tankers before we relocate to another spot for fear that law enforcement agents might trace us. I do not know how they got wind of this deal because we normally have a very strong security arrangement,” he said.

Sulaiman said they relocated to Oyo when the security in Lagos became too tight for them to operate freely.

Assistant Commissioner of Police, Friday Ibadin, who is in charge of the Task Force, said the suspects were caught red-handed by the police during their regular surveillance of the area.

He said, “The police acted on an intelligence report that a major syndicate had been lifting several tankers from the bush. Detectives led by Oyo Sector Commander, Xpress Onioigue, successfully raided the areas and recovered five tankers filled with petrol.

“Meanwhile, we are on the trail of the kingpin known as Olugbenga who we gathered is being sponsored by some influential Nigerians.

Adamu, another suspect, said he was introduced to the business by one Alhaji Abdullahi and is usually paid N180, 000 per trip.

Adamu, an indigene of Taku in Bauchi State said, “I am a petrol tanker driver and my boss is based in Bauchi. Whenever I’m idle, I use the tanker for hire, transporting fuel to where it would be sold.

Culled- Punch Metro

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