A House of Representatives hopeful, Wahab Jinadu, has been arrested for alleged pipeline vandalism.

Jinadu, who claims to have been nominated by his constituency for the 2015 ballot, was arrested by operatives of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Task Force on Anti-Pipeline Vandalism at Ifote village in Obafemi/Owode Local Government (LGA) of Ogun State.

Described as one of the most wanted pipeline vandals, Jinadu had been arrested and arraigned three times for the same offence but was discharged and acquitted on each occasion.

The police are linking him to the siphoning of petroleum products worth millions of naira from vandalised Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) pipeline within Lagos and Ogun states.

Speaking on his arrest, head of the IGP task force, Mr Friday Ibadin, an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), said on September 15, detectives acted on an intelligence report that Junaid was back and operating with his boys at Ogere in Ogun State.

He said: “Detectives led by Ogere sector commander, Mr Shakwallo Philemon, an Assistant Superintendent (ASP), stormed the area and arrested him. They also recovered three big valves already mounted on NNPC right of way in Ogere. This is the fourth time Junaid would be arrested by the police.

“We are still on the trail of his accomplices who are still at large. He would soon be arraigned before a competent court and we hope to get him to face the wrath of the law upon conviction this time.”

Junaid said he was seeking means of making fast money after being nominated by his people to represent them at the House in 2015.

“Heaven knows that after I regained my freedom in 2012, I had stopped anything that has to do with pipeline vandalisation. The slot for the House of Representatives was zoned to my area, Ibeju Lekki constituency. I am one of those who have the 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 and that I can come and lift 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 for Ibeju Lekki constituency at the House of Representatives in 2015 that informed the police. 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 claimed that a full tanker can be bought for N1.5 million from vandals and sold at N3 million.

The embattled politician, who claims to be veterinary doctor, said he was first arrested and arraigned in court by the task force in 2008. “I was discharged and acquitted. In 2010, I was also arrested at Epe and after several months, I regained my freedom again. The third time was in 2012, when policemen from FESTAC Division arrested and arraigned me in court. I was able to secure my freedom because of the calibre of lawyers that stood for me.”

He said his nickname Doc was given to him because he is a veterinary doctor. “I am a graduate and I read Botanical Science and Animal Rearing. It’s just that people no longer patronise us and I had to change my profession. I am sorry and I promise that as soon as I am elected, I will assist the police in their war against pipeline vandalisation.”

•Adapted from a Nation report. Photo shows politician/pipeline vadal Wahab Jinadu.

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