By Omeiza Ajayi
ABUJA — The Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, has arrested a truck driver and two others over alleged criminal conspiracy and vandalism of Nigerian National Petroleum Company, NNPC, pipelines at Dafa village in Kwali Area Council, Abuja.
FCT Commandant, Dr Olusola Odumosu, disclosed this on Wednesday while parading the suspects at the NSCDC Kwali Divisional Office.
Odumosu said the arrests followed an intelligence-led operation carried out as part of the command’s intensified crackdown on economic sabotage, oil theft and pipeline vandalism in the FCT.
He said credible intelligence on alleged vandalism along the pipeline Right of Way, ROW, in the area prompted prolonged surveillance by the command’s tactical team in Kwali.
According to him, the surveillance led to the interception of three suspects allegedly linked to a criminal syndicate involved in vandalising and attempting to remove NNPC pipeline components around Dafa.
“I have called this briefing to update the public on a major breakthrough achieved by the command in protecting the nation’s economic arteries,” he said.
Odumosu said the operation was made possible through intelligence gathering, community collaboration and the efforts of NSCDC operatives.
He said members of a vigilance group collaborating with the command had earlier monitored the suspects at the site, but they fled after sighting security operatives, abandoning sections of the pipeline they had allegedly severed.
“However, the monitoring activities paid off on 20th September 2026, when the suspects allegedly returned to the area and attempted to load the abandoned iron pipes into a truck,” he said.
He added that NSCDC operatives, supported by members of the vigilance group, moved in and arrested three suspects, while other alleged members of the group escaped into the surrounding bushes.
The commandant identified the suspects as Maitama Inuwa, 30, of Rafin Dadi, Lere Local Government Area of Kaduna State, who was allegedly driving the truck; Yahuza Danlami, 32, of Anguwan Kataf, Mariri, also in Lere, described as the truck’s motor boy; and Yasir Abdulrahman, 26, of Gajiri Village, Suleja, Niger State, identified as a representative of the alleged buyers of the vandalised pipes.
Odumosu said preliminary investigation had identified four other individuals allegedly connected to the activities, adding that they remained at large.
He said the investigation had been expanded to determine the full extent of the alleged criminal operation.
Items recovered, according to him, included a commercial truck with registration number MAK 159 XA (Niger), loaded with allegedly vandalised NNPC petroleum pipes, and 17 pieces of vandalised pipes recovered at the scene.
The commandant said the suspects allegedly operated mainly in remote and forested areas where pipelines pass through the FCT, cutting the pipelines into smaller sections under cover of darkness for transportation.
He warned that pipeline vandalism could cause significant economic losses and create risks of explosions and environmental damage.
Odumosu said the arrested suspects had undergone preliminary investigation and profiling and were granted administrative bail after meeting stipulated conditions.
He added that the command’s Legal Unit would review the case file for appropriate legal action.
The commandant said efforts were also underway to identify the alleged end-buyers and sponsors of the activities, promising that anyone found to have participated in or facilitated the alleged offences would face prosecution in accordance with the law.
He described petroleum pipelines as vital national assets and urged traditional rulers, community leaders, youths and residents living along pipeline corridors in the FCT to remain vigilant.
He particularly urged residents to report suspicious digging activities and unusual movements of trucks in remote areas to the NSCDC.
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