A 59-year-old suspected vandal, who was arrested by operatives of the Inspector-General of Police Task Force on Anti-Pipeline Vandalism in Ogun State, has blamed his indulgence on his quest to raise money for his political campaign towards 2015 general elections.rep-thief1Officer in charge of the task force, Friday Ibadin, who identified the suspect as Wahab Junaid, said he was arrested at Ifote village in Obafemi/ Owode Local Government Area of Ogun State.
He said three big valves, allegedly mounted on Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, right of way at Ogere by the suspect and his accomplices, were recovered by the operatives who acted on a tip-off.
Ibadin disclosed that it was the fourth time Junaid would be arrested over a similar offence.
He said: “ On September 15, detectives acted on an intelligence report that Junaid was back and currently operating with his boys at Ogere, Ogun State.
“Detectives, led by Ogere sector commander, ASP Shakwallo Philemon, stormed the area and arrested him. We are still on the trail of his accomplices who are still on the run. He would soon be charged to court. “
During interrogation, the suspect, popularly known as Doctor, disclosed that he usually bought a truck load of siphoned petroleum product from vandals for N1.5 million and sold for N3 million.
Junaid, who admitted to have been arrested thrice before now, said: “I swear, after I regained freedom in 2012, I stopped everything that has to do with pipeline vandalisation. But politics lured me back to it.
‘My objectives’
“I am an active member of All Progressives Congress, APC, and the slot for the House of Representative was zoned to my area, Ibeju Lekki constituency.
“I am one of those who have best opportunities to contest and win the election.
“I was told to go and look for money to sponsor my campaigns. I am a graduate. I read Botanical Science and Animal Rearing. I am a veterinary doctor. Unfortunately, people no longer patronise us and I had to change my profession.
“Since I did not have enough money to sponsor myself, I called my friend, one Oloje, a vandal, who told me that the area was calm and suggested that I could come and load some trucks.
“I was actually waiting at the designated point with the trucks with which to lift the product when policemen arrested me.
Arrest history
“ I was arrested in 2008 by the Task Force but was discharged and acquitted. In 2010, I was also arrested at Epe, but also regained freedom after several months.
“Again, I was arrested in 2012 over a similar offence by policemen from FESTAC Division. As usual, I was arraigned in court. But through the help of my lawyer, I was able to secure my freedom.
“I suspect that my enemies, who are bitter that I was anointed to fly the APC flag for Ibeju Lekki constituency at the House of Representatives in 2015 have a hand in this.
“As I speak to you, no one knows that I have been arrested. Please forgive me and give me another chance to represent my people in the House of Representatives.”
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