Well-equipped criminal syndicates are disguising themselves as members of a Federal Government taskforce to steal critical oil infrastructure across Nigeria.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) made the revelation, describing it as a disturbing trend in the country’s worsening pipeline vandalism crisis.

According to the state oil major, 24 cases of vandalism had been recorded along sections of the Warri-Kaduna crude oil pipeline corridor since 2025, with about nine kilometres of pipeline already stolen by suspected vandals.

The revelation came as the NNPC Ltd, through its Industry-Wide Security Architecture and its subsidiary, the Nigerian Pipelines and Storage Company, conducted a joint inspection of a vandalised section of pipeline at Pai Community in Kwali Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The inspection, carried out alongside the Office of the National Security Adviser Special Prosecution Team, the FCT Police Command, the Nigerian Army and other security stakeholders, followed the arrest of three suspected pipeline vandals in the Piri and Pai communities.

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In a statement on Thursday by the Chief Corporate Communications Officer of NNPC Ltd, Andy Odeh, asserted that the inspection was aimed at assessing the extent of damage to the critical national asset, advancing ongoing investigations and reinforcing efforts to combat economic sabotage.

The statement read, “The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited through the Industry Wide Security Architecture and Nigerian Pipelines & Storage Company in collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser Special Prosecution Team, the Federal Capital Territory Police Command, the Nigerian Army and other security stakeholders, on Tuesday conducted a joint inspection of a vandalised section of the NPSC crude oil pipeline at Pai Community in Kwali Area Council of the FCT, Abuja.

“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 Nigeria’s strategic energy infrastructure.

“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 NNPC Ltd’s Industry-Wide Security Architecture.”

According to Odeh, the Nigerian Pipelines and Storage Company, a subsidiary of the NNPC Ltd, owns and manages more than 5,000 kilometres of crude oil and petroleum products pipelines across the country.

He expressed sadness that pipeline theft across the network has intensified in recent years.

“NPSC, a subsidiary of NNPC Ltd, owns more than 5,000km of crude oil and petroleum products pipeline network. Pipeline theft across NPSC’s network has been on the increase since 2024.

“Well-equipped criminals disguising themselves as the ‘NNPC/Federal Government Taskforce for Recovery of Abandoned Pipelines’ connive with locals to dig out and steal these pipelines,” the statement noted.

The company disclosed that 19 incidents were recorded in 2025 alone.

“In 2025, a total of 19 cases were reported, with about 9km of pipeline section stolen along the Enugu-Makurdi-Yola corridor and between Piri and Izom along the Warri-Kaduna pipeline corridors.

“So far in 2026, five cases have been reported at Piri-Kwali and Gwagwalada along the Warri-Kaduna crude oil pipeline segment and at Badanga along the Jos-Gombe pipeline corridor,” it added.

The affected infrastructure serves as a strategic route for transporting crude oil from the Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company (WRPC) to the Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company (KRPC).

Speaking during the inspection, the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd, Bashir Ojulari, represented by the company’s Chief Interface Officer, Dahiru Sani-Gwarzo, said the arrests marked an important breakthrough in the fight against pipeline sabotage.

“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.

On his part, the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, CP Ahmed Muhammed Sanusi, said the arrests demonstrated the resolve of security agencies to dismantle organised criminal groups targeting national infrastructure.

“The operation demonstrates our collective determination to protect critical national assets and dismantle criminal syndicates involved in pipeline vandalism.

“The suspects were apprehended following intensive intelligence gathering, surveillance operations and targeted patrols after reports of interference with sections of the pipeline.

“Our investigations have already generated valuable leads regarding the sponsors and receivers of the vandalised materials.

“We want to assure Nigerians that all individuals connected to these criminal activities will be identified and prosecuted in accordance with the law,” Sanusi stated.

Also speaking, the Director of Energy Security at the Office of the National Security Adviser, Goodluck Ebele, urged Nigerians to support ongoing efforts by providing timely information to security agencies.

“Public vigilance and cooperation remain critical to protecting national assets and strengthening Nigeria’s energy security.

“We appeal to citizens living around these facilities to report suspicious activities promptly. Pipeline vandalism is not a victimless crime; it affects national revenue, energy supply and economic development,” he said.

Representing the Nigerian Army, Lt. Col. J.O. Ajongbo reaffirmed the military’s commitment to safeguarding oil and gas infrastructure nationwide.

“We remain committed to working closely with NNPC Ltd and all relevant agencies to secure critical energy infrastructure across the country.

“The protection of these assets is a national responsibility, and the military will continue to play its part in ensuring that criminal elements do not succeed in their attempts to sabotage the economy,” he stated.

Similarly, the Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream), Hon. Sesi Whingan, pledged legislative support to strengthen deterrence against pipeline vandalism.

“We will continue to support measures that enhance the legal and regulatory framework needed to combat pipeline vandalism.

“Those who engage in economic sabotage must understand that there will be consequences, and we will work with relevant institutions to ensure that our laws serve as effective deterrents,” he said.

Pipeline vandalism has remained one of the biggest challenges confronting Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, contributing to production losses, environmental degradation and reduced revenues.

While much of the public attention has focused on crude theft in the Niger Delta, the latest incidents suggest that criminal networks are increasingly targeting pipeline infrastructure in other parts of the country.

President Bola Tinubu has announced that Nigerian security forces have neutralised more than 13,000 terrorists within the past 12 months, describing it as a major breakthrough in the country’s ongoing fight against insecurity.

The President made the disclosure on Friday during his Democracy Day address to the nation, where he outlined progress made by his administration in tackling terrorism, banditry, and other violent crimes across the country.

Tinubu said Nigeria has moved beyond routine military training exercises with international allies and is now focused on more precise and effective operations against terrorist groups.

He cited a recent successful military operation in Arege, Borno State, where troops reportedly degraded a command centre belonging to the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).

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“We have moved from training with our allies, the United States, France and other European countries, to precision targetting. In Arege, Borno State, we degraded ISWAP’s command centre. Terror-related deaths are down by 81 per cent since 2015. Over 13,000 terrorists have been neutralised in the past year,” he said.

The President also emphasized that the Federal Government remains committed to non-kinetic approaches in addressing insecurity, including encouraging repentant insurgents to surrender and reintegrate into society.

He revealed that more than 124,000 insurgents and their dependants have surrendered since 2023 through the government’s Operation Safe Corridor programme.

“But we also keep the door of surrender open. Over 124,000 fighters and dependants have laid down their arms since 2023 through Operation Safe Corridor,” Tinubu stated.

Warning criminals, the President said bandits, kidnappers, and sponsors of terrorism must embrace peace or face the full force of the law.

“To bandits, kidnappers and sponsors of terror: surrender or face the full force of the Nigerian state. These windows of surrender will not remain open forever. No mercy will be shown to those who trade in the blood of Nigerians,” he warned.

Tinubu further urged Nigerians to remain united in the face of security challenges, stressing that criminal activities should not be viewed through ethnic or regional lines.

“At a time like this, let us not assign blame or point fingers. Crime has no ethnicity. We must stand united and be assured that the enemies of our nation shall soon be history. We will triumph over terror and continue to build a more prosperous nation,” he added.

President Bola Tinubu has said that democratic governance must translate into tangible economic benefits for citizens, stressing that “democracy must be felt in the pocket” as his administration continues to implement reforms aimed at improving the lives of Nigerians.

Speaking in his Democracy Day address on Friday, the President said ongoing infrastructure projects across the country are helping to connect producers to markets while creating opportunities for enterprise and employment.

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Tinubu also disclosed that the National Agricultural Development Fund is set to deploy 10,000 tractors over the next five years to boost agricultural productivity and strengthen food production nationwide.

Highlighting some of the gains recorded by his administration, the President revealed that more than 1,000 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have been certified for export.

He added that non-oil exports grew by 21 per cent in the past year, reflecting efforts to diversify Nigeria’s economy beyond crude oil.

Despite these achievements, Tinubu acknowledged that many Nigerians are still grappling with economic hardship.

He said his administration remains focused on reducing inflation, expanding food production, creating jobs, improving living standards and rebuilding confidence in the economy.

According to him, the government is working to move the country “from uncertainty to stability,” with the next phase of reforms aimed at accelerating economic growth and ensuring that progress is felt at household and community levels across all regions.

The President further stated that his administration is pursuing financial autonomy for Nigeria’s 774 local government councils, arguing that weak grassroots governance has contributed to development challenges and insecurity in parts of the country.

Tinubu maintained that strengthening local government administration is crucial to addressing insecurity and improving service delivery, adding that the Renewed Hope Agenda is designed to ensure that the dividends of governance reach every Nigerian.

He reiterated his commitment to building a more stable and prosperous nation where the benefits of democracy are visible in the everyday lives of citizens.