The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has intensified its crackdown on pipeline vandalism after a high-level joint inspection of a vandalised section of the Nigerian Pipelines & Storage Company (NPSC) crude oil pipeline in Pai Community, Kwali Area Council, FCT.
The chief corporate communications officer of NNPC Ltd, Andy Odeh, in a statement on Thursday, said the inspection held on Tuesday involved NNPC Ltd’s Industry-Wide Security Architecture (IWSA), NPSC, and the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).
Others include: Special Prosecution Team (SPT), the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command, the Nigerian Army and other security stakeholders.
Mr Odeh said the high-level inspection was undertaken to assess the extent of damage to critical national assets, advance ongoing investigations, and reinforce coordinated efforts to combat economic sabotage and safeguard the country’s strategic energy infrastructure.
He said 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 IWSA.
Scale of theft
NPSC, a subsidiary of NNPC Ltd, owns more than 5,000 km of crude oil and petroleum products pipeline network. Pipeline theft across NPSC’s network has been on the increase since 2024.
Mr Odeh said well-equipped criminals disguising themselves as “NNPC/Federal Government Taskforce for Recovery of Abandoned Pipelines” connive with locals to dig out and steal those pipelines.
In 2025, a total of 19 cases were reported with about 9km of pipeline sections stolen along Enugu-Makurdi-Yola and between Piri & Izom along Warri – Kaduna pipeline corridors.
So far in 2026, according to the NNPC, five cases were reported at Piri-Kwali & Gwagwalada, along the Warri-Kaduna crude oil pipeline segment and at Badanga, along the Jos-Gombe pipeline corridor.
Speaking during the visit, Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd., Bashir Ojulari, 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.
Mr Ojulari, represented by the Chief Interface Officer, NNPC Ltd., Dahiru Sani-Gwarzo, said 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.
“Beyond the significant economic losses they cause, such acts undermine national development, energy security and investor confidence. We will continue to work closely with our security partners to ensure these crimes are decisively addressed,” he said.
Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, Ahmed 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 vandalised materials.
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He added 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, 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 emphasised that public vigilance and cooperation remain critical to the protection of national assets and the strengthening of Nigeria’s energy security.
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), Sesi Whingan, pledged continued legislative support to strengthen deterrence against pipeline vandalism through enhanced legal and regulatory measures.
