This Man Formed A Dangerous Criminal Gang While In Prison
An ex-convict, Bashiru Majiyagbe, who was arrested by the Special Task
Force in Lagos has confessed that he met members of his gang while
serving a jail term in Ikoyi Prison, Lagos.
Bashiru opened up that it was whil in prison that he met other pipeline vandals and they became friends. He said the vandals formed a gang and because of his experience and connections, he became the leader of the gang.
He said, “I was shocked at the number of pipeline vandals in Ikoyi Prison. I joined the gang and since I had more information, I became the leader of the group. Those who were able to secure their bail ensured that our interests were protected in all their deals.
“They always paid our own share of the money into our account while we controlled deals outside there through our phones. The guys we have outside know the importance of keeping to the agreement before they left because one day, they will be arrested and brought to the prison.”
His latest arrest was made possible through phone tracking. On the day he was arrested, he was in a bush coordinating a pipeline vandalism operation.
Bashiru said, “Two men accosted me and I thought they were marketers and I stopped. It was when they slapped me that I realised that they were security operatives. I can’t believe that I am heading back for the prisons again. My plan was to raise some money and start my own business. I am finished.
“Please, Nigerians should help me to beg the police to give me another chance. There was no other way for me to survive but to go back to the same crime. I am very sorry.”
“I was employed by NNPC to guard the pipeline in 2002. My records are
there that my line was always protected because I never allowed vandals
to go near the area. Vandals approached me to join them on several
occasions but I refused because I wanted a clean record and hoped that I
would be promoted.
“But along the line, I discovered that NNPC officials were ingrates...
“But along the line, I discovered that NNPC officials were ingrates...
They were in their offices wearing ties, while I was left in the bush to
protect pipeline and I was given peanuts. We complained many times and
were told that the contractor who employed us on behalf of the NNPC was
the one that should be held responsible.
“I decided to help myself to survive out there in the bush. Whenever they wanted to operate, I would pretend as if I never knew that they were there unless NNPC officials at the technical room discovered a drop and raised the alarm that vandals were in my area. I made a lot of money from them.
“I was at our weekly meeting on September 14, 2008, when policemen came and arrested me. I was later told that there was a petition against me, alleging that I was into NNPC pipeline vandalism. I was remanded in prison and later sentenced to five years imprisonment,” he said.
“I decided to help myself to survive out there in the bush. Whenever they wanted to operate, I would pretend as if I never knew that they were there unless NNPC officials at the technical room discovered a drop and raised the alarm that vandals were in my area. I made a lot of money from them.
“I was at our weekly meeting on September 14, 2008, when policemen came and arrested me. I was later told that there was a petition against me, alleging that I was into NNPC pipeline vandalism. I was remanded in prison and later sentenced to five years imprisonment,” he said.
The ex-convict, who was released just few weeks ago, was arrested again
at that Odi Ifediwo area of Ogun State while vandalising another NNPC
oil pipeline.
Bashiru opened up that it was whil in prison that he met other pipeline vandals and they became friends. He said the vandals formed a gang and because of his experience and connections, he became the leader of the gang.
He said, “I was shocked at the number of pipeline vandals in Ikoyi Prison. I joined the gang and since I had more information, I became the leader of the group. Those who were able to secure their bail ensured that our interests were protected in all their deals.
“They always paid our own share of the money into our account while we controlled deals outside there through our phones. The guys we have outside know the importance of keeping to the agreement before they left because one day, they will be arrested and brought to the prison.”
His latest arrest was made possible through phone tracking. On the day he was arrested, he was in a bush coordinating a pipeline vandalism operation.
Bashiru said, “Two men accosted me and I thought they were marketers and I stopped. It was when they slapped me that I realised that they were security operatives. I can’t believe that I am heading back for the prisons again. My plan was to raise some money and start my own business. I am finished.
“Please, Nigerians should help me to beg the police to give me another chance. There was no other way for me to survive but to go back to the same crime. I am very sorry.”
