The Federal Capital Territory Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has arrested three suspects, including a truck driver, over alleged vandalism of Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) pipelines in Dafa village, Kwali Area Council, Abuja.
The suspects were arrested following credible intelligence received by the command concerning alleged activities along the pipeline right of way in the community.
The FCT Commandant, Dr Olusola Odumosu, disclosed the development on Wednesday while parading the suspects at the NSCDC Kwali Divisional Office.
Odumosu said the operation was carried out as part of the command’s intensified efforts to disrupt oil theft, pipeline vandalism and other activities considered economic sabotage within the Federal Capital Territory.
According to him, the arrests were made under the directive of the NSCDC Commandant General, Ahmed Audi, who had ordered increased surveillance and enforcement around critical national infrastructure.
The commandant said intelligence-led operations remained central to the NSCDC’s strategy of preventing attacks on pipelines and other facilities considered vital to the country’s energy security.
He explained that personnel were deployed to the affected area after information was received about suspected vandalism activities along the pipeline corridor in Dafa.
The operation resulted in the arrest of three individuals, with one of them identified as a truck driver.
The NSCDC said investigations were ongoing to establish the full circumstances surrounding the alleged vandalism and determine the roles played by each of the suspects.
Odumosu stressed that the command would continue to work with relevant agencies and communities to protect petroleum infrastructure across the FCT.
He also urged residents living around pipeline corridors to provide security agencies with timely information about suspicious movements or activities that could threaten critical infrastructure.
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The latest arrests form part of the NSCDC’s broader enforcement efforts against pipeline vandalism and oil-related crimes.
Pipeline vandalism remains a major concern for Nigeria’s petroleum industry because attacks on infrastructure can disrupt supplies, cause environmental damage and create significant financial losses.
Security agencies have increasingly relied on intelligence gathering, surveillance and targeted operations to identify individuals suspected of involvement in the theft of petroleum products and destruction of pipeline facilities.
The NSCDC is responsible for protecting critical national assets and infrastructure, including petroleum pipelines, and has maintained that it would intensify operations against individuals involved in economic sabotage.
The three suspects are expected to remain in custody while investigators establish the extent of the alleged offences and gather evidence for possible prosecution.
The command did not disclose the quantity of petroleum products involved or provide further details about the condition of the affected pipeline.
Odumosu, however, reiterated the command’s commitment to preventing criminal activities around petroleum infrastructure and ensuring that those found culpable are brought before the appropriate authorities.
The development comes amid continued security concerns surrounding Nigeria’s oil and gas infrastructure, with government agencies stepping up measures to protect pipelines and curb illegal activities capable of undermining the country’s energy sector.
