The Nigeria Police Force has arrested a politician who said that he decided to embark on pipeline vandalism because he was nominated to represent Ibeju Lekki Constituency and he did not have the money.
The suspect, a veterinary doctor identified as Wahab Junaid, 59, said he had no choice but to seek a means of making fast money when he was nominated by the All Progressives Congress to contest in the forthcoming 2015 elections.
The suspect said that he stopped being a vet because people were not patronizing him.
Up on his arrest, Junai promised that he would assist the police in its war against vandalism once he was elected.
His words: “I am an active member of APC and the slot for the House of Representatives was zoned to my area, Ibeju Lekki constituency.
“I’m 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 called my friend, Oloje, a vandal, who informed me that the area is calm that I can come and lifts some trucks.
“I was waiting with the tanks to lift the product when policemen arrested me.
“I guess it is 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.
“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.”
Junaid was arrested by operatives of the Inspector-General of Police Task Force, Anti-Pipeline Vandalism Squad.
The police said Junaid had once been arrested for the same offence a few years back.
He was arrested at Ogere, Ogun State.
He was alleged to have been arrested and arraigned three times but discharged and acquitted.
He was alleged to have moved several trucks of PMS from the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation pipelines within Lagos and Ogun States.
The officer in-charge of the Task Force, an Assistant Commissioner of Police, Friday Ibadin, explained that on September 15, 2014, detectives trailed Junaid based on a tip-off.
Ibadin said: “Detectives, led by Ogere Sector Commander, Assistant Superintendent of Police, Mr. Shakwallo Philemon, stormed the area and arrested him.
“This is the fourth time the suspect would be arrested by the police.”
Ibadin said three big valves already mounted on NNPC right of way in Ogere were recovered from him and his boys.
According to the suspect, a full tanker could be bought at N1.5 million and sold at N3 million.
It was also heard that Junaid was first arrested and arraigned in court by the Task Force in 2008.
In another development, the detectives also busted an illegal local refinery at Osara near Lokoja in Kogi State.
The owners were said to have fled the scene as soon as they spotted policemen.
Ibadin revealed that the Task Force was still combing the village for those who constructed the refinery and have since set the illegal factory on fire.