By Woke Joshua
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), FCT Command, has arrested three suspected members of a syndicate allegedly involved in the vandalism and attempted theft of NNPC petroleum pipeline components in Dafa, Kwali Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory.
The suspects were apprehended while allegedly attempting to load 17 pieces of severed pipeline components into a commercial truck after returning to the location where the materials had earlier been abandoned.
The FCT Commandant of NSCDC, Olusola Odumosu, disclosed this on Wednesday at a press briefing held at the Corps' Kwali Divisional Office.
Odumosu said the operation followed intelligence supplied by members of the Kwali Vigilante Group, which enabled the Corps to intensify surveillance along the pipeline Right of Way (ROW).
He explained that the suspected vandals had initially fled after sighting security personnel, leaving behind the already severed pipeline components.
According to him, the suspects later returned to evacuate the materials, allowing NSCDC operatives and vigilante members to move in and arrest three of them.
He said other members of the alleged syndicate escaped into the surrounding bush.
The arrested suspects were identified as Maitama Inuwa, 30, from Rafin Dadi, Lere Local Government Area of Kaduna State; Yahuza Danlami, 32, from Anguwan Kataf, Mariri, also in Lere LGA; and Yasir Abdulrahman, 26, from Gajiri Village, Suleja, Niger State.
Inuwa was allegedly the driver of the truck, Danlami the motor boy, while Abdulrahman was allegedly acting as a representative of dealers in the vandalised pipeline components.
Items recovered included a commercial truck with registration number MAK 159 XA (Niger) and 17 pieces of vandalised NNPC petroleum pipes.
The Commandant said preliminary investigation had identified four other persons allegedly connected to the operation, adding that they remained at large.
He said the investigation had also revealed indications of an organised criminal network allegedly involved in the vandalism, transportation and illicit sale of components removed from the pipeline corridor.
Odumosu said the Command was working to identify other members of the alleged network, including suspected sponsors and end-buyers of the vandalised infrastructure.
He explained that preliminary findings showed that the suspects operated mainly in remote and forested areas where petroleum pipelines pass through the FCT.
According to him, the suspects allegedly took advantage of darkness to excavate and cut high-pressure pipelines into smaller sections for transportation.
He warned that pipeline vandalism posed serious risks beyond economic losses, including possible explosions, environmental pollution and threats to communities located around the pipeline corridors.
Odumosu said the arrested suspects had undergone preliminary investigation and profiling and were granted administrative bail after meeting the stipulated conditions.
He added that the NSCDC Legal Unit would review the case file and determine the appropriate legal action under relevant laws.
The Commandant assured that the investigation would be conducted professionally and transparently, stressing that anyone found to have participated in, facilitated or benefited from the alleged criminal activities would be prosecuted before a court of competent jurisdiction.
He said efforts had been intensified to apprehend the fleeing suspects while collaboration with other security agencies and relevant stakeholders was being strengthened to prevent further attacks on critical infrastructure across the FCT.
Odumosu commended the Kwali Vigilante Group for its intelligence and operational support, which he said contributed to the arrests.
He urged residents, traditional rulers, community leaders and youths living along pipeline corridors to promptly report suspicious activities, including unusual movements of trucks and digging in remote areas.
"When you see something, please say something and the NSCDC will do something, as you have all seen today," he said.
The Commandant reaffirmed the Corps' commitment to protecting critical national assets and infrastructure through intelligence-led operations, surveillance and community-based security strategies.
He also expressed appreciation to the FCT Minister, NSCDC Commandant General, Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, and the Executive Chairman of Kwali Area Council for their operational and strategic support.
Odumosu described petroleum pipelines as critical national assets, warning that their vandalism constituted not only an economic crime but also a threat to national security and development.