Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPC Limited, alongside security agencies, has conducted a joint inspection of a vandalised section of the Nigerian Pipelines and Storage Company crude oil pipeline at Pai community in Kwali Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
The inspection followed the arrest of three suspected pipeline vandals in the Pai and Piri communities during a coordinated security operation.
The high-level assessment, involving the Office of the National Security Adviser Special Prosecution Team, the FCT Police Command, the Nigerian Army and other stakeholders, was aimed at determining the extent of damage to the critical national asset, advancing investigations and strengthening efforts to combat economic sabotage.
NNPCL says pipeline theft across its network has continued to rise since 2024, with criminal groups allegedly disguising themselves as government task forces to steal pipeline infrastructure.
NNPCL Chief Interface Officer, Dahiru Sani-Gwarzo who represented the Group CEO described the arrests as a significant breakthrough in the ongoing effort to dismantle criminal networks targeting the nation's oil and gas infrastructure.
He noted that investigations are focused not only on those arrested but also on identifying and prosecuting the sponsors and masterminds behind the crimes.
The FCT Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Muhammed Sanusi, disclosed that intelligence gathering and surveillance operations led to the arrests, while the Office of the National Security Adviser called on Nigerians to provide timely information to help protect national assets.
(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
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