The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd), through the Industry-Wide Security Architecture (IWSA) and the Nigerian Pipelines and Storage Company (NPSC), in collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) Special Prosecution Team (SPT), the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command, the Nigerian Army, and other security stakeholders, has conducted a joint inspection of a vandalised section of the NPSC crude oil pipeline at Pai Community, in the Kwali Area Council of the FCT, Abuja.
According to a statement issued by the Chief Corporate Communications Officer of NNPC Ltd, Mr Andy Odey, the high-level inspection was undertaken to assess the extent of damage to the critical national asset, advance ongoing investigations, and reinforce coordinated efforts to combat economic sabotage and safeguard Nigeria’s strategic energy infrastructure.
The visit followed the arrest of three suspected pipeline vandals in the Piri and Pai communities through a joint operation involving the ONSA Special Prosecution Team, the FCT Police Command, and NNPC Ltd.’s Industry-Wide Security Architecture.
NPSC, a subsidiary of NNPC Ltd, owns over 5,000 kilometres of crude oil and petroleum products pipeline network across the country.
Pipeline theft across the network has been on the rise since 2024, with well-equipped criminal groups reportedly disguising themselves as “NNPC/Federal Government Taskforce for Recovery of Abandoned Pipelines” and colluding with local residents to excavate and steal pipelines.
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In 2025 alone, a total of 19 cases were reported, resulting in the theft of approximately nine kilometres of pipeline sections along the Enugu–Makurdi–Yola corridor and between Piri and Izom on the Warri–Kaduna pipeline route.
So far in 2026, five incidents have been recorded at Piri-Kwali and Gwagwalada along the Warri–Kaduna crude oil pipeline segment, as well as at Badanga along the Jos–Gombe pipeline corridor.
Speaking during the inspection, the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd, Engr Bashir Bayo Ojulari, represented by the Chief Interface Officer, Mr. Dahiru Sani-Gwarzo, described the arrests as a significant step in the broader effort to dismantle criminal networks responsible for attacks on the nation’s oil and gas infrastructure.
“The Industry-Wide Security Architecture has been actively pursuing criminal elements involved in the sabotage of our energy infrastructure. Those apprehended are only a small part of a larger network. Our focus remains on identifying and bringing to justice the masterminds and sponsors behind these criminal activities.
“Beyond the significant economic losses they cause, such acts undermine national development, energy security, and investor confidence. We will continue to work closely with our security partners to ensure these crimes are decisively addressed,” he stated.
The Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, CP Ahmed Muhammed Sanusi, said the operation underscored the determination of security agencies to protect critical national infrastructure and dismantle criminal syndicates involved in pipeline vandalism.
He disclosed that the suspects were apprehended following intensive intelligence gathering, surveillance operations, and targeted patrols after reports of interference with sections of the pipeline.
According to him, investigations have already generated valuable leads regarding the sponsors and receivers of the vandalised materials, adding that all individuals connected to the crime would be identified and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
Also speaking, the Director of Energy Security at ONSA, Mr Goodluck Ebele, called on Nigerians to support security agencies with timely and credible information that could help prevent pipeline vandalism and other acts of economic sabotage.
He emphasised that public vigilance and cooperation remain critical to protecting national assets and strengthening Nigeria’s energy security.
Representing the Nigerian Army, Lt Col J.O. Ajongbo reaffirmed the military’s commitment to working with NNPC Ltd and other security agencies to safeguard oil and gas infrastructure across the country.
Similarly, the Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream), Sesi Whingan, pledged continued legislative support aimed at strengthening deterrence against pipeline vandalism through enhanced legal and regulatory measures.
