The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command, has arrested three suspected members of a pipeline vandalism syndicate operating in Kwali Area Council, disrupting what it described as a major network involved in the sabotage of critical national infrastructure.
FCT Commandant of the NSCDC, Olushola Odumosu, disclosed this while addressing journalists at the Kwali Divisional Headquarters and later leading a tour of the crime scene where the vandalised pipeline components were recovered.
Odumosu said, “The operation was carried out through intelligence-led surveillance, community collaboration and sustained monitoring of the pipeline right-of-way following credible information received from local vigilante groups regarding vandalism activities in the area.” 
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According to him, operatives initially observed the suspects severing and excavating sections of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) pipeline before fleeing upon sighting security personnel.
However, surveillance was maintained until September 20, 2026, when the suspects allegedly returned to evacuate the stolen pipeline components.
“Our operatives, supported by members of the vigilante group, swiftly moved in and arrested three suspects while they attempted to load the vandalised pipelines into a truck. Other members of the gang escaped into the surrounding bush,” he said. 
The commandant revealed that preliminary investigations had identified four additional suspects who were currently at large, adding that efforts were ongoing to apprehend them and uncover the full extent of the criminal network.
Items recovered during the operation included a commercial truck with registration number MAK 159 XA, Niger State, loaded with vandalised pipeline components, as well as 17 cut sections of petroleum pipelines excavated from the site.
Odumosu described the operation as a significant breakthrough in the protection of critical national assets, noting that the criminal activities not only inflicted huge economic losses on the country but also exposed communities to the risk of explosions and environmental degradation.
He said, “Investigations indicate that the syndicate operated mainly in remote forested areas where pipelines pass through the FCT, digging up and cutting high-pressure pipelines into smaller sections for easier transportation and illegal sale.”
The NSCDC boss assured that the suspects would face appropriate legal action after the conclusion of investigations, stressing that the command would also pursue the sponsors, buyers and financiers behind the illegal activities.
“We will work tirelessly to identify the end buyers and sponsors who are bankrolling this sabotage and ensure that the full weight of the law is applied against everyone involved,” he said.
Odumosu commended members of the vigilante group and host communities for their support and intelligence, describing community participation as vital to safeguarding national infrastructure.
He urged residents, traditional rulers, youth groups and community leaders living along pipeline corridors to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious movements, illegal excavations and unusual truck activities to security agencies.
“Pipeline vandalism is a direct attack on the nation’s economy and the welfare of citizens. When you see something, say something, and the NSCDC will do something,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of the traditional institution in the area, Aliyu Barau of Gomani District commended the NSCDC and other security agencies for the successful operation, saying the action would serve as a deterrent to economic saboteurs and strengthen the protection of critical infrastructure in the community.
The operation was conducted with the support of sister security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force, military personnel, the Department of State Services (DSS) and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
