‘I went into bunkering to save my wife’

                     A 37-year-old man,Shittu Jamiu, yesterday said he took topipeline vandalism  to save his wife, who was in labour.
                     The Ogun State-born suspect was paraded yesterday alongside three others in Ikeja by the Lagos State Command of the Nigeria Security Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).The others are: Isila Bolaji (47), Ishola Ogunlade (36) and Semiu Bello (47).
Jamiu said: “I joined this business three months ago because my wife needed N150, 000 to go through Caesarean Section (CS) at a private hospital in Lagos. She was attended to after I strived to raise N80, 000.
              “As I speak, I still owe the hospital N70, 000.  I am
a taxi driver. I was introduced by other drivers. My wife doesn’t know about this. I had involved myself before I knew it was illegal. We buy at the rate of N2,500 and sell to co-drivers at N3000. I will never do such again if I am released. Semiu is just a mechanic. I sought his assistance when my vehicle was faulty.”
NSCDC Commandant Gabriel Abafi said the suspects were arrested on January 16 around Sabo in  Ikorodu, a Lagos suburb, with vandalised Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).
According to him, the suspects drove a Toyota Premiere Space bus marked: KRD63BM with 50 gallons of 50-litre PMS and a Nissan Bluebird marked: AG15FKJ with two gallons of 25-litre PMS.
Abafi said:”Every indication has showed that they are guilty and some of them have confessed to the crime. We are trying to see if they can help us fish out the kingpins and if not, they shall face the consequences of their actions. Ours is to make sure such suspects are caught but the court justifies their case. They should look for legitimate business to do other than bunkering.
Bolaji, a mechanical engineer and driver, said: “At times, I don’t make a kobo in my shop and even the money I make as a driver, the traffic monitoring officers do threaten us. I had to join because I have a family to cater for. I just started December last year through some drivers. We purchase fuel at a very cheap rate from some people along the road at Abule. I know it is illegal, but I pray we are pardoned.”
Ogunlade, also a driver, said: “Officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Agency (LASTMA) seized my vehicle. I dabbled into bunkering because I had nothing to do. I was with Bolaji when we were caught. I also started last December.”
Bello, who claimed to be a graduate from the School of Agriculture in Akure, the Ondo State capital, said he wasn’t part of team.
“Jamiu told me his vehicle broke down on the road which I went to repair. Since it wasn’t easy to get a commercial motorcycle from Eyita community to Sabo, I followed them since it was also my route. On getting to Sabo, we were apprehended. I was shocked when they accused us. The fuel was covered with tarpaulin. I am only an automobile engineer.”