NSCDC Arrests 3 Suspected Pipeline Vandals in Abuja, Recovers 17 NNPC Pipes

 NSCDC Arrests 3 Suspected Pipeline Vandals in Abuja, Recovers 17 NNPC Pipes

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command, has arrested three suspected pipeline vandals and recovered 17 vandalised NNPC petroleum pipes in Dafa, Kwali Area Council of the FCT, Abuja.

The operation, according to the Command, is part of its intelligence-led efforts to curb economic sabotage and protect critical national infrastructure across the Federal Capital Territory.

The suspects were identified as Maitama Inuwa, 30, of Rafin Dadi, Lere Local Government Area of Kaduna State; Yahuza Danlami, 32, of Anguwan Kataf, Mariri, Lere LGA, Kaduna State; and Yasir Abdulrahman, 26, of Gajiri Village, Suleja, Niger State.

Inuwa was allegedly the driver of the truck, with registration number MAK 159 XA (Niger), used to convey the vandalised pipes, while Danlami was identified as the truck's motor boy. Abdulrahman was allegedly acting as a representative of dealers involved in the vandalised pipeline components.

The FCT Commandant of the NSCDC, Dr Olusola Odumosu, disclosed the arrests in a statement made available to the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP).

Odumosu said preliminary investigations showed that the suspects operated mainly in remote and forested areas along petroleum pipeline routes, where they allegedly carried out their activities under the cover of darkness.

“When it’s dark, they deliberately dig up and cut these high-pressure pipelines into sizable pieces for easy loading into their trucks,” he said.

According to the Commandant, the breakthrough followed credible intelligence received through a local vigilante group collaborating with the NSCDC's Kwali Divisional Office.

He said NSCDC operatives were deployed to the area to intensify surveillance after receiving information about suspected vandalism along the pipeline right-of-way.

Odumosu explained that the suspected vandals initially fled after sighting security operatives, abandoning the pipeline sections they had already severed.

“However, the monitoring activities paid off on Sept. 20 when the suspects allegedly returned to the area and attempted to load the abandoned iron pipes into a truck.

“NSCDC operatives on surveillance, supported by members of the vigilante group, swiftly moved in and arrested three of the suspects, while some other members of the gang reportedly escaped into the surrounding bush,” he said.

The Commandant said the operation had disrupted what the Corps believed to be a network involved in the vandalism and illegal movement of components from NNPC pipelines.

He warned that pipeline vandalism posed significant economic and environmental risks, including the possibility of explosions, while also threatening the nation's energy infrastructure.

“This successful operation has effectively disrupted a major network responsible for sabotaging the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited pipelines, originally built to supply crude oil and other petroleum products to the Kaduna refinery and other depots across the country,” Odumosu said.

He disclosed that the suspects had undergone preliminary investigation and profiling and would be granted administrative bail after fulfilling the stipulated conditions.

Odumosu further revealed that the NSCDC's Intelligence and Investigation Department had identified other persons allegedly connected with the operation.

“Preliminary investigation by the Intelligence and Investigation Department in the command has also identified others allegedly connected with the activities, including four suspects whose names were mentioned and are currently at large.

“The investigation further indicates the possible existence of an organised criminal network involved in the vandalism, movement and illicit sale of components removed from the pipeline right of way,” he said.

The Commandant said the major exhibit recovered during the operation was a commercial truck loaded with 17 vandalised NNPC petroleum pipes.

He assured that the investigation would not stop with the arrested suspects, stressing that the Corps would intensify efforts to identify the alleged sponsors, financiers and end-buyers behind the illegal activities.

Odumosu expressed appreciation to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, and the NSCDC Commandant General, Ahmed Audi, for their support for the Command's efforts to protect critical infrastructure and combat economic sabotage in the territory.