“I spent eight years studying Medicine and Surgery in UNIJOS and
graduated in 2004 and later served in Bauchi State. A year later, I got a
job at Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission where I
practised for six months. But I was later asked to leave.
“I moved to Kogi in 2006 and it was there that a friend introduced
me to the business. I was making good money and later got a part time
job at Federal Medical Centre. I received N90,000 as monthly salary
which was not enough for me. So, I stuck to the pipeline business.”
Salifu Odiba, who was arrested in Kogi State by the Police Special Task
Force on Anti-Pipeline Vandalism, Force Headquarters, said he was
attracted to the illegal business because of hardship.
The medical doctor, who studied Medicine and Surgery at University of
Jos, said his dream was to one day own his hospital. But two years after
his graduation, the 35-year-old abandoned medicine and chose life on
the fast lane by joining a pipeline vandalism cartel.
Describing his modus operandi, the Kogi State indigene said he acted as a
middleman for the vandals and buyers. He said although he never
destroyed a pipeline, he was actively involved in the business and soon
became popular.
He said he was usually paid commission by pipeline vandals and buyers after he had sold the products.
“People started calling me ‘oil doctor’ because I always had ready
buyers for all kinds of petroleum products. Oil business is very
lucrative especially in Kogi State where as many as 17 trucks of
petroleum products could be siphoned and sold in one night,” he said.
Odiba lamented that the medical profession was no longer as prestigious
as it was due to the “large number” of people practising it. “People
don’t visit hospitals like before. These days, many Nigerians prefer to
take self medication,” he said.
Narrating how he was arrested, the suspect said he was contacted by a
source at Lokoja, the state capital, who claimed to have large
quantities of oil in a barge. He was on his way to finalise the deal
when policemen arrested him.
Odiba, who vowed not to return to crime if released, burst into tears
when narrating the hardship he had suffered in the past. He said
although N90, 000 was not a poor salary, the pressures of having to take
care of his siblings further increased his financial problems.
He said, “I have four siblings and my parents are retired. I am the
first son and through this business, I have been able to sponsor two of
my siblings through university and they have graduated. I don’t spend
the money I make on myself. I have a fiancée but I can’t even afford a
wedding now.
“I don’t want my siblings to suffer and I did this for them. Crime for
me was due to a quest for survival but I promise never to go back to it.
I spent last year’s Christmas in police custody after being arrested in
Kaduna. This year again, I’m spending my Christmas in detention.
“I’m tired of this life of crime and I promise never to go back to it
again. My dream is still to own a hospital and even while doing the oil
business; I rendered free medical services to people.”
Odiba may be charged to court soon.
You are greedy
ReplyDelete