The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps , Federal Capital Territory Command, has arrested three suspects in connection with the vandalism of an NNPC petroleum pipeline in Dafa, Kwali Area Council, Abuja.
Addressing journalists at the Kwali Divisional Office on Wednesday, the NSCDC FCT Commandant, Olusola Odumosu, said the arrests followed days of intelligence-led surveillance by the Command’s tactical team.
“The credible actionable intelligence received regarding vandalism activities along the pipeline Right of Way in the area led to a prolonged surveillance by our tactical team in Kwali Division,” Odumosu said.
He 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.
“Acting on credible intelligence by the vigilante group who are actively collaborating with the NSCDC Kwali divisional office, our operatives intensified surveillance, monitoring and patrol of the location, but upon sighting our men, the suspected vandals fled from the scene of the crime and abandoned the already severed petroleum pipelines,” he said.
According to the commandant, the suspects returned to the scene days later in an attempt to retrieve the abandoned pipe sections.
“However, the monitoring activities paid off on 20 September 2026, when the suspects allegedly returned to the area and attempted to load the abandoned iron pipes into a truck,” Odumosu said. “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.”
The commandant identified the arrested suspects as Maitama Inuwa, Yahuza Danlami and Yasir Abdulrahman.
“Maitama Inuwa ‘M’ 30yrs from Rafin Dadi in Lere Local Government of Kaduna State who is the driver of the truck with registration number MAK 159 XA(Niger) used in conveying the vandalized pipes,
“Yahuza Danlami ‘M’ 32yrs old from Anguwan Kataf, Mariri Lere Local Government of Kaduna State, is the Motor Boy of the truck. Yasir Abdulrahman ‘M’ 26yrs from Gajiri Village, Suleja, Niger State who is the representative of the vandalized pipes dealers,”he said.
He added that preliminary investigations had identified four other individuals connected to the case who remain at large, and said the Command suspects a wider network is involved.
“Preliminary investigation by the Command’s Intelligence and Investigation department has also identified other persons allegedly connected with the activities, including four other individuals 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.
Odumosu said operatives recovered “one long commercial truck, vandalised NNPC Petroleum pipes and 17 pieces of vandalised NNPC Petroleum pipes from the scene.
“One long commercial truck with registration number MAK 159 XA (Niger) loaded with vandalised NNPC Petroleum pipes and 17 pieces of vandalised NNPC Petroleum pipes were recovered, ” he said.
Describing how the syndicate allegedly operates, the commandant said, “These vandals operate in remote and forested areas where petroleum pipelines transit’s 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 warned that the activity carries serious risks beyond financial loss. “This reckless activity does not only cause massive economic losses to the country but also poses an immediate risk of catastrophic explosions and environmental degradation,” he said.
He said the command would pursue those who financed the operation.
“The Command will work tirelessly to identify the end-buyers, the sponsors bankrolling this sabotage and subsequently enforce the full weight of the Miscellaneous Offences Act,” he said.
The commandant appealed to residents living along pipeline corridors to report suspicious activity.
“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, ” he said.
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