- The inspection came on the heels of the arrest of three suspected vandals during security operations in the Piri and Pai communities
- The affected pipelines play a strategic role in transporting crude oil to refineries
- He assured Nigerians that all individuals connected to the crimes would be identified and prosecuted
Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has raised alarm over a growing pattern of pipeline theft, revealing that organised criminal groups are allegedly posing as members of a Federal Government task force to cart away critical oil infrastructure.
Eko Hot Blog reports that the company disclosed that dozens of vandalism incidents have been recorded along major pipeline corridors, with several kilometres of pipeline reportedly stolen by suspected vandals in recent months.
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The revelation followed a joint inspection of a damaged crude oil pipeline section in Pai Community, located in the Kwali Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory. The exercise involved NNPC Ltd, its subsidiary, the Nigerian Pipelines and Storage Company (NPSC), security agencies, and the Office of the National Security Adviser’s Special Prosecution Team.
The inspection came on the heels of the arrest of three suspected vandals during security operations in the Piri and Pai communities.
According to NNPC Ltd, the visit was aimed at assessing the level of destruction to national energy infrastructure, supporting ongoing investigations, and strengthening coordinated efforts to tackle economic sabotage.
The company noted that NPSC manages more than 5,000 kilometres of crude oil and petroleum products pipelines nationwide but has witnessed a surge in theft and vandalism activities since 2024.
It alleged that some criminal networks operate under the guise of a so-called “NNPC/Federal Government Task Force for Recovery of Abandoned Pipelines,” working with local collaborators to excavate and steal pipeline materials.
NNPC Ltd said several cases were reported in 2025, with stolen pipeline sections stretching across parts of the Enugu-Makurdi-Yola and Warri-Kaduna corridors. Additional incidents have also been recorded in 2026 along pipeline routes in the Federal Capital Territory and other northern states.
The affected pipelines play a strategic role in transporting crude oil to refineries, including the Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company.
Speaking during the inspection, NNPC Group Chief Executive Officer, Bashir Ojulari, represented by Chief Interface Officer Dahiru Sani-Gwarzo, described the recent arrests as a significant breakthrough in the fight against pipeline vandalism.
He stated that security agencies are intensifying efforts to uncover the wider criminal networks behind the attacks, including sponsors and financiers of the operations.
Ojulari warned that pipeline vandalism not only causes substantial economic losses but also threatens energy security, national development, and investor confidence.
Also speaking, the Commissioner of Police in the FCT, Ahmed Muhammed Sanusi, said intelligence-driven operations had provided valuable leads regarding those behind the vandalism activities and those receiving stolen materials.
He assured Nigerians that all individuals connected to the crimes would be identified and prosecuted.
The Director of Energy Security at the Office of the National Security Adviser, Goodluck Ebele, urged residents living near pipeline infrastructure to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious movements to security agencies.
Representatives of the Nigerian Army and the National Assembly also reaffirmed their commitment to supporting efforts aimed at protecting critical energy assets and strengthening legal measures against economic sabotage.
Pipeline vandalism remains a major challenge in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, contributing to production losses, environmental damage, and declining revenues. Industry stakeholders have also warned that persistent attacks on key infrastructure could affect refinery operations and delay planned improvements in the country’s energy supply chain.
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