EXCLUSIVE: Task Force Arrests Three Benninoise, One Ghanaian for Pipeline Vandalism

The suspects

 

The Inspector General of Police Special Task Force on Anti-Pipeline Vandalism, led by the Officer-in-Charge, Friday Ibadin, Assistant Commissioner of Police, have arrested three Benninoise and one Ghanaian for pipeline vandalism.

 

The suspected pipeline vandals were identified as Fufo Soglo (the Ghanaian) and the three Benninoise- Christopher Suso, Yovo Itoh and Matilda Idowu, who also doubled as their treasurer. 

 The suspects, who were arrested on May 24, were said to have attempted to bribe the task force with the sum of N550, 000 so as to have unhindered access to bunker PMS.

 

Confirming the arrest, Ibadin said the suspects were arrested with valves that have twelve different holes connected to it, adding that with this kind of technology connection, vandals can siphon over 50,000 liters in less than 30minutes.

 

He said, “We were tipped off when one of their members contacted the police to grant them unhindered access to vandalise pipelines without arrest. The operatives led by Lagos Sector Commander, DSP Onaghise Osayande, played along with them.

 

“When he lured all four of them in, he got them arrested while they were about to handover the N550,000 to the police. Meanwhile we are working with the village heads to sort out those members of the community who are actually in the business and prosecute them accordingly.”

 

The female suspect Idowu , had however since confessed but added that she was only appointed as the treasurer to collect the contribution by  interested members of the community for an upcoming vandalism.

 

She said, “In recent times, it is difficult to vandalise pipelines without interference from the police, so one of our member; Chukwuma asked me to  collect money from members of the community to settle the police.

 

“As soon as I collected the money, I called him and he told me to bring it to the police tent at Atlas Cove that their boss was waiting for it. I went to give him the money at the police tent but I was arrested. I am sorry and I promise to go back to my legitimate business if I am set free.”

 

Another suspect Itoh, who claimed to be a palm wine tapper, admitted he entered Nigeria two months ago through Seme border, but stressed that he was going about his daily wine tapping business when he was arrested.