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By Tracy Moses
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Federal Capital Territory Command, has arrested three persons allegedly linked to the vandalism and attempted removal of components of NNPC petroleum pipelines in Dafa, Kwali Area Council of the FCT.
The suspects were arrested on September 20 while allegedly attempting to load into a commercial truck pipeline components they had earlier severed and abandoned after fleeing from security operatives.
The FCT Commandant of the NSCDC, Olusola Odumosu, disclosed this on Wednesday during a press briefing at the Corps’ Kwali Divisional Office.
Odumosu said the operation followed credible intelligence received from members of a local vigilante group collaborating with the NSCDC, prompting sustained surveillance of the pipeline Right of Way (ROW).
According to him, the suspected vandals initially fled after sighting security operatives, abandoning the pipeline sections they had allegedly cut.
He said the suspects later returned to retrieve the abandoned materials and load them into a truck, providing an opportunity for NSCDC operatives and members of the vigilante group to arrest three of them, while other alleged members of the group escaped into the surrounding bush.
The arrested suspects were identified as Maitama Inuwa, 30, of Rafin Dadi, Lere Local Government Area of Kaduna State, allegedly the driver of the truck; Yahuza Danlami, 32, of Anguwan Kataf, Mariri, Lere Local Government Area of Kaduna State, allegedly the motor boy; and Yasir Abdulrahman, 26, of Gajiri Village, Suleja, Niger State, allegedly a representative of dealers in the vandalised pipes.
Items recovered included a commercial truck with registration number MAK 159 XA (Niger), loaded with vandalised NNPC petroleum pipes, as well as 17 pieces of the vandalised pipes.
Odumosu said preliminary investigations had identified four other persons allegedly connected with the operation, who remained at large.
He added that the investigation indicated the possible existence of an organised criminal network involved in the vandalism, transportation and alleged illicit sale of components removed from the pipeline corridor.
The commandant said investigations had been expanded to identify other members of the alleged network, including those suspected of financing the operation and the alleged end-buyers of the vandalised materials.
He explained that preliminary findings indicated that the suspects operated mainly in remote and forested areas where petroleum pipelines pass through the FCT.
“These vandals operate in remote and forested areas where petroleum pipelines transit through the FCT. When it’s dark, they deliberately dig up and cut these high-pressure pipelines into sizeable pieces for easy loading into their trucks,” he said.
Odumosu warned that pipeline vandalism went beyond economic losses, saying the activity could expose surrounding communities to explosions and environmental damage.
“This reckless activity not only causes massive economic losses to the country but also poses an immediate risk of catastrophic explosions and environmental degradation,” he said.
He said the arrested suspects had undergone preliminary investigation and profiling before being granted administrative bail after meeting the stipulated conditions.
The commandant added that the NSCDC Legal Unit would review the case file for appropriate legal action under the relevant laws.
Odumosu assured that the investigation would be conducted professionally and transparently, stressing that anyone found to have participated in, facilitated or benefited from the alleged activities would be prosecuted before a court of competent jurisdiction.
He also disclosed that efforts had been intensified to apprehend those still at large and identify the alleged sponsors and buyers connected with the operation.
The commandant commended the Kwali Vigilante Group for providing intelligence and operational support that contributed to the arrests.
He called on residents, traditional rulers, community leaders and youths living along pipeline corridors to report suspicious activities, particularly unusual movements of trucks and digging activities in remote locations.
“Do not shield these economic saboteurs; report any suspicious digging, unusual movement of trucks in remote areas to the NSCDC immediately. When you see something, please say something, and the NSCDC will do something, as you have all seen today,” Odumosu said.
He reiterated the Corps’ commitment to protecting critical national assets and infrastructure through intelligence-led operations, surveillance and community-based security strategies.
Odumosu also thanked the FCT Minister, the NSCDC Commandant General, Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, and the Executive Chairman of Kwali Area Council for their operational and strategic support.
He described petroleum pipelines as vital national assets, warning that their vandalism constituted not only an economic crime but also a threat to national security and development.