By Bako Christopher
FCT, Nigeria — The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command, has disrupted a major pipeline vandalism network operating in Dafa, Kwali Area Council in the FCT, arresting three suspected members of the syndicate.
The breakthrough was announced on Wednesday by the FCT Commandant, Olusola Odumosu, at a press briefing held at the NSCDC Kwali Divisional Office, Kwali Area Council, FCT.
Commandant Odumosu said the operation was intelligence-led and carried out in line with the Corps’ core mandate of protecting Critical National Assets and Infrastructure, under the direct supervision of the Commandant-General, Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi.
He said credible intelligence from a collaborating vigilante group on vandalism activities along the NNPC pipeline Right of Way (ROW) in Dafa triggered prolonged surveillance by the tactical team of the Kwali Division.
According to him, the pipeline, originally built to supply crude oil and petroleum products to Kaduna Refinery and distribute to NNPC depots across the country, has been a target of economic saboteurs operating in remote and forested corridors of the FCT.
Odumosu disclosed that on sighting NSCDC operatives during an initial patrol, the suspected vandals fled, abandoning already severed petroleum pipelines at the scene.
The suspects however returned on September 20, 2026, and attempted to load the vandalised pipes into a truck, when operatives on surveillance, supported by members of the Vigilante Group, swiftly moved in and arrested three of them, while other gang members escaped into the surrounding bush.
The arrested suspects were identified as: Maitama Inuwa, 30, from Rafin Dadi, Lere Local Government Area of Kaduna State – driver of the truck with registration number MAK 159 XA (Niger); Yahuza Danlami, 32, from Anguwan Kataf, Mariri, Lere LGA, Kaduna State – motor boy of the truck; and Yasir Abdulrahman, 26, from Gajiri Village, Suleja, Niger State – alleged representative of the dealers of the vandalised pipes.
Odumosu said preliminary investigation by the Command’s Intelligence and Investigation Department has also identified four other persons whose names were mentioned and are currently at large, indicating the existence of an organised criminal network involved in vandalism, movement and illicit sale of pipeline components.
Items recovered at the scene 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.
On modus operandi, the Commandant explained that the vandals operate in remote and forested areas where pipelines transit through the FCT, digging up and cutting high-pressure pipelines at night into sizeable pieces for easy loading.
“This reckless activity does not only cause massive economic losses to the country but also poses an immediate risk of catastrophic explosions and environmental degradation,” he warned.
He disclosed that the suspects have been profiled and granted administrative bail after fulfilling stipulated conditions, while the case file will be reviewed by the Legal Unit for appropriate legal action in line with extant laws, including the Miscellaneous Offences Act.
Odumosu assured that the Command will intensify efforts to apprehend those at large, identify end-buyers and sponsors, and strengthen collaboration with relevant stakeholders and security agencies to prevent further attacks on critical infrastructure within the FCT.
He expressed gratitude to the Vigilante Group in Kwali for its strategic support, the Honourable Minister of the FCT, the Commandant-General, and the Chairman of Kwali Area Council for operational and logistics support.
“Petroleum pipelines are vital national assets that sustain our collective economy. Vandalizlsing them is a direct attack on the welfare of every citizen,” Odumosu said.
He appealed to traditional rulers, community leaders, youths and residents along pipeline Right-of-Ways in the FCT to remain vigilant and report suspicious digging or unusual movement of trucks in remote areas.
“When you see something, please say something and the NSCDC will do something as you have all seen today,” he added.
