The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) and the security agencies in the country have intensified efforts to combat pipeline vandalism, conducting a joint inspection of a damaged crude oil pipeline in the Pai Community of Kwali Area Council in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The high-level visit, according to a statement on Thursday by the Chief Corporate Communications Officer of the NNPC Ltd., Andy Odeh, brought together officials from the NNPC Ltd.’s Industry-Wide Security Architecture (IWSA), the Nigerian Pipelines & Storage Company (NPSC), the Office of the National Security Adviser’s (ONSA) Special Prosecution Team (SPT), the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command, the Nigerian Army and other security stakeholders, in a fresh push to protect the nation’s 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 the NNPC Ltd’s IndustryWide Security Architecture (IWSA).
Investigators say the suspects are part of a wider criminal network that has been systematically looting pipelines across NPSC’s national grid, which spans more than 5,000 kilometres of crude oil and petroleum products infrastructure.
The scale of theft has been alarming. In 2025 alone, 19 cases were recorded, with criminals making off with roughly nine (9) kilometres of pipeline along the Enugu-Makurdi-Yola corridor and sections of the Warri-Kaduna pipeline between Piri and Izom. Five more cases have already been reported in 2026, affecting sites in Piri-Kwali, Gwagwalada, and Badanga along the Jos-Gombe corridor.
Authorities say the criminals have been operating under the guise of NNPC/Federal Government Taskforce for Recovery of Abandoned Pipelines,” a fictitious body used to deceive local communities and gain access to buried infrastructure.
Speaking during the visit, Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd., Engr. Bayo Ojulari, represented by the Chief Interface Officer, NNPC Ltd., Dahiru Sani-Gwarzo, described the arrests as an important step in a broader effort to dismantle the 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,” he said.
He noted that beyond the significant economic losses they cause, such acts undermine national development, energy security and investor confidence, adding that the national oil company would continue to work closely with our security partners to ensure these crimes are decisively addressed.
Also speaking, the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, CP Ahmed Muhammed Sanusi, stated that the operation demonstrated the resolve 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 vandalized 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 assist in preventing pipeline vandalism and other acts of economic sabotage.
He emphasized that public vigilance and cooperation remain critical to the protection of national assets and strengthening of 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, Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream), Hon. Sesi Whingan, pledged continued legislative support to strengthen deterrence against pipeline vandalism through enhanced legal and regulatory measures.
