The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Federal Capital Territory Command, has arrested three suspects allegedly linked to the vandalism of an NNPC petroleum pipeline in Dafa, Kwali Area Council, Abuja. The arrests followed intelligence-led surveillance conducted by NSCDC operatives with support from a local vigilante group.

The suspects were identified as Maitama Inuwa, 30, allegedly the driver of the truck; Yahuza Danlami, 32, described as the motor boy; and Yasir Abdulrahman, 26, who was identified as a representative of alleged buyers of the vandalised pipes. The command said the suspects initially fled after security operatives arrived at the site but allegedly returned on September 20, 2026, to load the abandoned pipeline sections into a truck.

The NSCDC said it recovered a commercial truck with registration number MAK 159 XA (Niger) and 17 pieces of vandalised NNPC petroleum pipes. The command also said preliminary investigations had identified four other people allegedly connected to the operation, who remained at large. Investigators are working to identify the alleged sponsors and end-buyers of the vandalised infrastructure.

According to the FCT Commandant, Olusola Odumosu, preliminary investigations indicated that the alleged vandals targeted remote and forested areas along pipeline corridors, where they reportedly cut the infrastructure into smaller sections for transportation. He warned that pipeline vandalism could cause economic losses as well as risks of explosions and environmental damage. The three arrested suspects have undergone preliminary investigation and were granted administrative bail, while the NSCDC Legal Unit reviews the case for possible prosecution.