An arrested suspect in the Niger Delta region of the country has pleaded with the authorities to be released in time for him to attend his wedding.
The suspected oil thief identified as Ikechukwu Onyenze, is currently in the custody of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, Rivers State Command after he was linked to oil stealing in the region.
Pleading to be allowed to attend his traditional wedding, Onyenze who spoke with newsmen in Port Harcourt stated that his absence at his wedding will greatly affect him.
Pleaing for temporary freedom from the NSCDC, the 35-year-old suspect who was a heavy duty vehicle mechanic from Abia State before his arrest revealed that his wedding will hold today, Saturday.
He further denied his connection with oil theft as he explained: “It was a friend of mine who was driving the tanker. He called me that he had problem with the Civil Defence. He also said the vehicle was having break problem. So, it was when I came to help him that I was arrested. That’s how I know about this truck.
“As of the time of arrest, we were inside the truck, including the driver of the truck. I am a heavy duty mechanic. During the time of the arrest, the driver and the two conductors escaped.
“I am about to marry. My traditional marriage is on Saturday; this coming Saturday. My shop is at Obigbo; by Health Centre in Iriebe. If they (NSCDC) can permit me to go and be part of my marriage ceremony, I will be happy.
“I have left everything in the hand of God; He knows the best. I feel so bad that I will not be able to be present at my marriage ceremony. My advice to people is to avoid this kind of situation.”
The Rivers State Commandant of the NSCDC, Mr. Mohammed Haruna, while speaking on the arrest described Onyenze as a notorious oil bunkerer who had once escaped from operatives of the corps.
Haruna who dismissed the plea for temporary freedom added: “The man had been arrested before and he escaped. He is a notorious oil bunkerer. We were able to arrest him again. He escaped and went back to the crime of oil theft, but we have got hold of him. This time around, he will face the law.
“On his claim about marriage, it is false. We have not been able to verify his claim. He is just trying to whip up sympathy. Even the address he gave as a place he operates a shop is false. Our investigation is still ongoing and he would be charged to court at the end of investigation.”