NSCDC busts pipeline vandalism syndicate in Abuja

By Tolulope Oke

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Federal Capital Territory Command, has arrested three suspects linked to the alleged vandalism of an NNPC petroleum pipeline in Dafa, Kwali Area Council, Abuja.

The suspects were arrested after intelligence-led surveillance by the command’s tactical team, following reports of illegal activities around the pipeline Right of Way.

The FCT Commandant of the NSCDC, Olusola Odumosu, said the pipeline, which supplies crude oil and petroleum products to the Kaduna Refinery and NNPC depots nationwide, had already been cut before operatives arrived at the scene.

According to him, the suspected vandals fled when they noticed the presence of security operatives but later returned days later to retrieve the abandoned pipe sections.

“Monitoring activities paid off on September 20, 2026, when the suspects allegedly returned to the area and attempted to load the abandoned iron pipes into a truck,” Odumosu said.

He said NSCDC operatives, supported by members of a local vigilante group, moved in and arrested three suspects, while others escaped into nearby bushes.

The arrested suspects were identified as Maitama Inuwa, 30, a truck driver from Lere Local Government Area of Kaduna State; Yahuza Danlami, 32, the motor boy of the truck; and Yasir Abdulrahman, 26, who was described as a representative of the alleged buyers of the vandalised pipes.

The commandant said preliminary investigations had revealed four other individuals allegedly connected to the operation, adding that they remained at large.

Odumosu said investigations suggested the existence of an organised network involved in vandalising, transporting and selling components removed from petroleum pipelines.

Items recovered from the scene included a commercial truck and 17 pieces of vandalised NNPC petroleum pipes.

The NSCDC warned that pipeline vandalism posed economic and environmental risks, including possible explosions, and vowed to investigate those allegedly financing the activities.