By Maliki Lasisi
The Nigerian Police Force has arrested 19 suspected pipeline vandals and recovered a total of 19 fuel trucks loaded with stolen premium motor spirit (PMS) and adulterated diesel from the hoodlums in several operations carried out by its anti-vandalism task force.
Confirming the arrest and recovery yesterday, Force Public Relations Officer, Don Awunah said, “14 long tanker trucks loaded with 33, 000 litres of PMS each and 3 short tanker trucks loaded with 11, 000 litres of suspected adulterated diesel each were recovered.
“In a large scale coordinated operation carried out in compliance with the directives of the IGP to rid Lagos and other states where vandalism of oil pipelines have become endemic by notorious vandals and their criminal gangs, the Police have arrested several notorious vandals and recovered trucks loaded with vandalized PMS and adulterated diesel.
“These gangs have attacked several riverine villages and killed innocent people in recent times but the IGP’s Special Task Force on Pipelines Vandalism/illegal bunkering, working on actionable intelligence trailed and arrested the suspects and recovered 17 tanker trucks loaded with vandalized PMS and adulterated diesel at Bakery Park owned by one Dr. Emeka in Kirikiri area of Lagos state.
“The suspects during interrogation, confessed to the various criminal roles they played in the criminal enterprise. However, investigation is being intensified to arrest other suspects and their cohorts to bring them to justice”.
“In a similar operation, the IGP’s Task Force acting on a tip-off indicating that vandals were operating at Ijora Olopa area of Lagos State, swooped in on them at the scene of crime, foiled their nefarious act and arrested the suspects.”
“Though the suspects upon interrogation voluntarily confessed to the Police, investigation is being intensified to arrest other suspects at large. All will be arraigned in court on completion of investigation.”
The suspects, according to the police are Frank Adakpa, Mallam Asafa, Fatai Bashir, Yahaya Mohammed, Umar Abdullahi, Wasiu Adeboye, Bilyaminu Abdullahi, Kazeem Lawal, Abdullahi Musa, Abubakar Mohammed, Abubakar Abdullahi and Mumkalia Abdullahi.
Others are Mohammed Ibrahim, Umaru Adamu, Samuel Majebi, Illiasu Musa, Femi Michael, Anas Haruna and Nura Isah. Also recovered from the vandals were 4 operational vehicles including one Toyota RAV Jeep, Peugeot Wagon 807, Chevrolet Jeep and Honda Accord Salon car.
Meanwhile, a gang of cyber fraudsters who specialize in hacking into facebook accounts of unsuspecting members of the public, public office holders and senior police officer have been arrested.
The suspects are Henry Ushie, Stanley Owuka, and Omoba Moshood. Ushie, leader of the group is a graduate of Statistics, Anambra state University, Uli. Onwuka is a 400 level student of same university, studying Urban and Regional Planning.
“The three suspects confessed to have hacked the facebook account of many people and used it to extort money from them. They also admitted to many crimes they committed using social media platforms.
“These include duping unsuspecting members of the public of various amounts of money under the guise of facilitating transfers, postings and securing foreign missions for them. They also claim to be able to secure lucrative employment for university graduates.
“The suspects also posed as directors in JAMB through bulk sms to innocent students and their parents with a promise to secure admission into various universities for them.
“Investigation further revealed the suspects are members of a cult group using ‘The Money Team Boyz’ which is the name of their cyber crime gang, as a platform for cult activities,” the Police Public Relations Officer said.
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