NNPC Ltd Joins Forces with Security Agencies to Assess Damaged Pipeline in Abuja

Blessing Bello, Reporting 

THE Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has teamed up with multiple security agencies to assess a badly damaged crude pipeline in the Pai Community, Kwali Area Council, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

The high-profile operation, which took place on Tuesday, was led through NNPC’s Industry Wide Security Architecture (IWSA) and its subsidiary, the Nigerian Pipelines & Storage Company (NPSC). They were supported by the Office of the National Security Adviser’s Special Prosecution Team (SPT), the FCT Police Command, the Nigerian Army, and other security partners.

In a press statement issued by Andy Odeh, Chief Corporate Communications Officer of NNPC Ltd, the inspection aimed to evaluate the extent of damage to the vital national asset, push forward ongoing inquiries into sabotage, and strengthen joint efforts to crush economic sabotage while protecting Nigeria’s core energy facilities.

The statement revealed that the inspection came shortly after three alleged pipeline saboteurs were arrested in the Piri and Pai communities. The arrests were carried out by a joint task force comprising the ONSA-SPT, FCT Police, and NNPC’s IWSA unit.

NPSC, a wholly owned subsidiary of NNPC Ltd, manages more than 5,000 kilometres of pipelines that transport crude oil and refined products across Nigeria. Attacks on NPSC lines have risen sharply since 2024. Criminal gangs, posing as an “NNPC/Federal Government Taskforce for Recovery of Abandoned Pipelines”, have been colluding with local residents to dig up and steal pipeline segments.

According to the statement, 19 incidents were recorded in 2025. Approximately nine kilometres of pipeline were stolen along the Enugu-Makurdi-Yola route and between Piri and Izom on the Warri–Kaduna corridor. So far in 2026, five cases have been reported at Piri-Kwali and Gwagwalada on the Warri-Kaduna crude line, as well as at Badanga on the Jos-Gombe corridor.

Engr. Bashir Bayo Ojulari, Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd, who was represented by Chief Interface Officer Dahiru Sani-Gwarzo, described the arrests as a significant win in dismantling gangs targeting oil and gas assets. He said the IWSA was actively pursuing all culprits involved in infrastructure sabotage.

“Those caught are just a fraction of a wider network. We’re zeroing in on the sponsors and brains behind these attacks. Beyond the huge financial losses, this sabotage weakens national growth, energy security, and investor trust. We’ll keep working with security partners to crush these crimes,” he said.

FCT Police Commissioner, CP Ahmed Muhammed Sanusi, said the raid demonstrated that security agencies were serious about protecting national infrastructure and breaking up vandal syndicates. He explained that suspects had been tracked down through intelligence, surveillance, and targeted patrols following reports of pipeline tampering. He added that investigations had already produced solid leads on sponsors and buyers of stolen materials, and that everyone linked would be prosecuted.

The Director of Energy Security at ONSA, Mr Goodluck Ebele, urged Nigerians to share credible and timely information to help stop pipeline vandalism and other economic crimes. He stressed that public vigilance was key to securing national assets and boosting energy security.

Lt. Col. J.O. Ajongbo, speaking for the Nigerian Army, reaffirmed the military’s commitment to working alongside NNPC Ltd and other agencies to guard oil and gas infrastructure across the country.

Hon. Sesi Whingan, Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on Petroleum Resources Upstream, also pledged legislative backing to deter future vandalism through stronger laws and regulations.