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Transporting crude to Kaduna Refinery may not be feasible soon, as NSCDC yesterday paraded a three-man gang in the Kwali Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), whose business is to destroy the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) pipelines for monetary gain.
Speaking at the scene of the incident, the Commandant of the FCT Command, Dr Olusola Odumosu, said the breakthrough was achieved through an intelligence-led operation, active community collaboration, and the tireless dedication of operatives over the past few days.
He said credible actionable intelligence received regarding vandalism activities along the pipeline Right of Way (ROW) in the area led to prolonged surveillance by the corps’ tactical team in Kwali Division and eventual interception of three individuals suspected to belong to an organised criminal syndicate connected with the alleged vandalism and attempted removal of NNPC pipeline components around Dafa in Kwali Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory.
“I am happy to inform you all that this successful operation has effectively disrupted a major network responsible for sabotaging the NNPC pipelines originally built to supply crude oil and other petroleum products to Kaduna Refinery and distribute same to NNPC depots across the country,” he stated.
Odumosu maintained that the NSCDC acted on credible intelligence by the vigilance group who are actively collaborating with the NSCDC Kwali Divisional Office.
Consequently, the operatives intensified surveillance, monitoring and patrol of the location, but upon sighting the officers, the suspected vandals fled from the scene of the crime and abandoned the already severed petroleum pipelines.
However, he said, the monitoring activities paid off on September 20, 2026, when the suspects returned to the area and attempted to load the abandoned iron pipes into a truck.
“NSCDC operatives on surveillance, supported by members of the vigilance group, swiftly moved in and arrested three of the suspects, while some other members of the gang reportedly escaped into the surrounding bush.”
“The arrested suspects are: Maitama Inuwa ‘M’, 30 years, from Rafin Dadi in Lere Local Government Area of Kaduna State, who is the driver of the truck with registration number MAK 159 XA (Niger) used in conveying the vandalised pipes; Yahuza Danlami ‘M’, 32 years old, from Anguwan Kataf, Mariri, Lere Local Government Area of Kaduna State, who is the motor boy of the truck; and Yasir Abdulrahman ‘M’, 26 years, from Gajiri Village, Suleja, Niger State, who is the representative of the vandalised pipes dealers,” the Commandant noted.
According to Odumosu, 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.
The command, he stated, is consequently expanding its investigation to identify other persons involved in the alleged criminal enterprise and establish the full extent of the activities.
Meanwhile, exhibits recovered include 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.
