Three suspected pipeline vandals have been arrested in Ilorin, Kwara State, by the anti-vandalism unit of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association, Ilorin chapter.

The chapter IPMAN Chairman, Alhaji Rasheed Olopade, told journalists at the NNPC Oke-Oyi  depot in Ilorin on Sunday that one of the suspects,  Lekan Oladepo, and another, identified simply as Badmus, were arrested at the scene of the alleged crime at Pele/Araromi Road in Ogbomosho by the security outfit of IPMAN.

He explained that the two suspects were arrested with a full tanker-load of petrol, while other suspects escaped.

He added that the third apprehended suspect, Mr. Muritala Jimoh, was the owner of the tanker used for the illicit venture.

According to him, the petrol,  which was loaded in the tanker with  number plate, XE 431 LSD, was valued at N3.5m.

The IPMAN boss, whose depot serves six states of Kogi, Niger, Osun, Oyo, Ekiti and Kwara, decried the activities of vandals, saying they had inflicted huge financial losses on their business, and had also caused fuel scarcity in the area.

Olopade said, "Some security men alerted us and on getting there we met them in the act.

"They brought two vehicles, but one escaped narrowly. The bigger truck belongs to the man in white (Jimoh). We don't know how long they have been in the act. We were just called by our intelligence network and we got them apprehended.

"The vandals sell the petroleum product at ridiculous amount of money since it was stolen. We sell 33,000 litres of petro at N3.5m, while they give it out at N2m."

Jimoh denied involvement in the illicit business.

He said, "The vehicle belongs to me and this is my driver. He just called me around 5am that they were attacked on the way by some armed robbers who shot at the vehicle at Odo-Oba. Meanwhile, I sent them to Ibadan. I was surprised they said robbers attacked them.  I went there to meet them and on getting there, I was told not to move and I was arrested. That is all I know. I never sent them, though he is my driver."

Badmus and Oladepo also claimed that Jimoh was unaware of the deal.

Badmus, who was the driver  of the truck, claimed that some people called  them to convey fuel for them from Ibadan.  He stated that on their way, their clients compelled them to follow them  to a particular place.

"They compelled us to go to Odo-Oba. That was how we went there to load the fuel. One Alhaji Moshood was the one who called us for the work. I don't even know where he stays.

"The people promised to pay N300,000 though we were unable to fill up the tanker before being caught. We did not tell our boss (Jimoh) about it," he said

Oladepo, who is a motorboy to Badmus said he was  directed by Badmus to enter the vehicle as he claimed that they had work to do.

He said, "Since he (Badmus)  is my boss I have no option than to follow him."

The Kwara State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Olufemi Fabode, said the three suspects were brought to the State Criminal Investigation Department.  He added that the police had commenced investigation into the matter.