By Joy Yesufu
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Federal Capital Territory Command, has arrested three suspected members of a pipeline vandalism syndicate and recovered 17 pieces of allegedly vandalised NNPC petroleum pipelines in Dafa, Kwali Area Council of the FCT.
The suspects were arrested on September 20, 2026, while allegedly attempting to load the severed pipeline components into a truck for removal from the area.
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 arrests followed credible intelligence received by the Command regarding suspected vandalism activities along the pipeline Right of Way in the area.
He said operatives of the Kwali Division subsequently commenced surveillance of the location in collaboration with members of a local vigilante group.
According to him, the suspected vandals initially fled after sighting security operatives, abandoning the already severed pipeline components.
He said the suspects later returned to the location and attempted to load the vandalised pipes into a truck when NSCDC operatives, supported by members of the vigilante group, moved in and arrested three of them.
The Commandant said some other members of the alleged syndicate escaped into the surrounding bush and were being pursued.
The suspects were identified as Maitama Inuwa, 30, of Rafin Dadi in Lere Local Government Area of Kaduna State; Yahuza Danlami, 32, of Anguwan Kataf, Mariri, also in Lere Local Government Area; and Yasir Abdulrahman, 26, of Gajiri Village, Suleja, Niger State.
Odumosu said Inuwa was allegedly the driver of the truck, with registration number MAK 159 XA (Niger), used to convey the pipeline components, while Danlami was allegedly the motor boy.
Abdulrahman, according to the NSCDC, was allegedly acting as a representative of dealers interested in the vandalised pipeline components.
The Commandant said preliminary investigations had identified four other individuals allegedly connected with the activities, adding that they were currently at large.
He said investigations were being expanded to establish the full extent of the alleged criminal network and identify those involved in the vandalism, transportation and possible sale of the removed pipeline components.
Items recovered from the scene included one commercial truck loaded with the allegedly vandalised pipeline components and 17 pieces of severed NNPC petroleum pipes.
Odumosu said preliminary investigations indicated that the suspects allegedly operated in remote and forested areas where petroleum pipelines pass through the FCT.
He alleged that the suspects dug up and cut the pipelines into smaller sections to facilitate their removal and transportation.
According to him, such activities not only result in economic losses but also create serious safety and environmental risks, particularly because of the possibility of fire, explosions and damage to surrounding communities.
Odumosu urged residents to pay particular attention to unusual movements of trucks in remote areas and suspected digging activities around pipeline Rights of Way.
“Whenever you see something, please say something and the NSCDC will do something, as you have all seen today,” he said.
He reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to protecting critical national infrastructure through intelligence-led operations, surveillance and collaboration with host communities and other security agencies.
