Suspected vandals tell NSCDC how they joined business

LAGOS – Four suspected pipeline vandals have told the Lagos State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) that they were lured into the act by their friends.
The vandals, who were arrested by the corps at Eyita, Sabo area of Ikorodu last week, made their confessions when they were paraded by the command on Monday in Ikeja.[pro_ad_display_adzone id=”10″]
They were arrested at 10 p.m. with 50 jerry cans each containing 50 litres of petrol loaded in two vehicles.
One of the vehicles, a Toyota Previa Space Wagon with registration number KRD 63 BM was found loaded with 50 kegs and a Nissan Bluebird with registration number AG15 FKJ with two 50 litres keg in the extra tyre compartment.
One of them, Isila Bolaji, 47, said that his friend lured him into the business and that since he joined they were buying the product for less the pump price and sold to their customers at the normal price.
Another, Bello Semiu, who is a motor mechanic, said that he entered the business to make quick money and take care of his family.
Jamiu shittu, who said that he was formerly a commercial motor driver, said he was brought into it by a friend and that this was his first time in the business.
Shola Ogunlade, who hails from Ekiti, said he was lured into the group because he was looking for money since he could not get any thing to do.
Parading the suspects, the NSCDC state Commandant, Mr Gabriel Abafi, said they were intercepted by men of the command through intelligence report on their activities in the area.
“We arrested them while conveying the product to their customers by our officers on patrol.
“Until their kingpin is arrested and prosecuted, the agency will not relax in seeing that vandalism is totally eradicated,’’ Abafi said.
He appealed to the public to avail the corps of information that would lead the agency to foil pipeline vandalism and other crimes.
Abafi urged the youth to engage in legitimate businesses instead of vandalising petroleum pipelines, adding that the agency would do everything to end oil theft. (NAN)