*The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited leads a Joint Taskforce on a visit to a pipeline theft site in Abuja, FCT, stating the energy sector stakeholders organised the high-level inspection to assess the extent of damage to critical national asset, and reinforce coordinated efforts at safeguarding the country’s strategic energy infrastructure
Gbenga Kayode | ConsumerConnect
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Limited), partner regulatory agencies, and other security stakeholders, Tuesday, June 9, 2026, conducted a joint inspection of a vandalised section of the NPSC crude oil pipeline at Pai Community in Kwali Area Council of Abuja, FCT.
The NNPC Limited said it carries out the inspection of energy facility as part of the country’s Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) through the Industry Wide Security Architecture (IWSA) and Nigerian Pipelines and Storage Company (NPSC) in collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) Special Prosecution Team (SPT), the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command, the Nigerian Army (NA).
The statement oil company also disclosed the stakeholders organised the high-level inspection to assess the extent of damage to critical national assets, advance ongoing investigations, and reinforce coordinated efforts at combatting economic sabotage and safeguard Nigeria’s strategic energy infrastructure.
Andy Odeh, Chief Corporate Communications Officer at NNPC Limited, Thursday, June 11, 2026, also stated the Company and other stakeholders’ visit followed the arrest of three suspected pipeline vandals in the Piri and Pai communities in the FCT, through a joint operation.
The NNPCL said the operation involved the ONSA Special Prosecution Team, the FCT Police Command, and the NNPCL’s Industry-Wide Security Architecture (IWSA).
according to the state oil firm, NPSC, a subsidiary of NNPC Limited, owns over 5,000 km of crude oil and petroleum products pipeline network in Nigeria.
On menace of pipeline theft, vandalism
The NNPCL stated the pipeline theft across its network has been increasing since 2024.
According to the Company, well-equipped criminals disguising as “NNPC/Federal Government Taskforce for Recovery of Abandoned Pipelines” connive with locals to dig out and steal those oil and gas pipelines.
The NNPC Limited said in 2025, total 19 cases were reported with about 9km pipeline section stolen along Enugu-Makurdi-Yola and between Piri & Izom along Warri – Kaduna pipeline corridors.
It further stated that thus far in 2026, five cases were reported at Piri-Kwali and Gwagwalada, along Warri-Kaduna crude oil pipeline segment and at Badanga, along Jos-Gombe pipeline corridor.
Speaking during the visit, Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari, Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of NNPC Limited, represented by Dahiru Sani-Gwarzo, Chief Interface Officer at NNPC Limited, described the arrests as an important step in a broader effort at dismantling the criminal networks responsible for attacks on the nation’s oil and gas infrastructure.
Engr. Ojulari stated: “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.”
The NNPCL Group CEO also said: “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.”
Police Commissioner: How security agencies arrested suspected pipeline vandals
Odeh as well said CP Ahmed Muhammed Sanusi, Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, stated that the operation demonstrated the resolve of security agencies to protect critical national infrastructure and dismantle criminal syndicates involved in pipeline vandalism.
The FCT Police Commissioner disclosed that the suspects were apprehended, following intensive intelligence gathering, surveillance operations and targeted patrols after reports of interference with sections of the pipeline.
According to him, investigations have already generated valuable leads regarding the sponsors and receivers of the vandalised materials, adding that all individuals connected to the crime would be identified and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
Mr. Goodluck Ebele, Director of Energy Security at ONSA, commented and urged Nigerians to support security agencies with timely and credible information that could assist in preventing pipeline vandalism and other acts of economic sabotage.
Ebele emphasised that public vigilance and cooperation remain critical to the protection of national assets and strengthening of Nigeria’s energy security.
Representing the Nigerian Army, Lt.-Col. J. O. Ajongbo reaffirmed the military’s commitment to working with NNPC Limited, and other security agencies to safeguard oil and gas infrastructure across the country.
Similarly, Hon. Sesi Whingan, Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Petroleum Resources (Upstream), pledged continued legislative support to strengthen deterrence against pipeline vandalism through enhanced legal and regulatory measures.