The Ogun State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Abeokuta on Monday, arrested three person, including a woman for allegedly vandalising petroleum pipeline.
The three suspects are Latif Salau also known as letua, Male, 47, Kudirat Taiwo female, 35 and Odewole Odebunmi, also known as Baba ongba, male 66.
They were allegedly caught scooping fuel from a vandalised pipeline and arrested during an all night operation carried out at the weekend by a team of anti vandalism operatives of NSCDC around Fidiwo, Obafemi Owode Local Government Area.
One of the suspects, kudirat Taiwo alleged she was called by both Latif and Odebunmi around 9pm, that Prime Motor Spirit (PMS), popularly called petrol was available for purchase.
She claimed she didn’t know their real names as she calls them by their nicknames i.e “letua and Baba ongba”.
Kudirat however, confessed she was arrested at the point, where she was scooping fuel together with the two other suspects, adding that she buys each 25-litres keg at N800 and sells between N1,400 and N1,500. She explained, that was her second time.
“I was introduced to them recently and this is the second time I will be buying PMS from them. I bought 10 cans the first time at same place,” she said.
The two other suspects though, denied selling PMS to the woman but agreed they know the woman and that they were arrested in the night while siphoning fuel.
Whilst Latif said he went to where they scooped in error, Odebunmi insisted he was out that night on hunting and that he was just discussing with letua at the point as they claimed they knew each other for long.
Commenting, Ogun NSCDC Public Relations Officer, Mr. Kareem Olanrewaju said investigation was already on and the suspect may soon appear in court.
He stressed that,the denial of the two suspects of non involvement does not hold water, saying they will need an angel to prove petroleum pipelines had become a place for family meeting in the wee hours of the night.
Kareem said the Corps’ investigators have moved to recover some of the vehicles abandoned by other suspects who escaped from scene.
Items recovered include 950-litres of petroleum products, in 25- litres kegs, handsets and tools used.