The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command, has arrested six suspected pipeline vandals allegedly caught siphoning Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) from a vandalised Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) pipeline in Gwagwalada, Abuja.
The suspects were arrested during a midnight intelligence-led operation by the Command’s Anti-Vandal Squad at Pagada I, Dobi Ward, at about 3:30 a.m. on July 18, 2026, following credible intelligence on suspicious activities around the pipeline.
FCT Commandant, Dr. Olusola Odumosu, said the suspects were caught red-handed while allegedly scooping fuel from a pipeline they had punctured with a drilling machine and transferring the product into jerrycans and plastic bags.
The suspects were identified as Yakubu Yahaya (29), Garba Isah (23), Mohammed Abubakar (24), Yakubu Abdul (20), Ibrahim Ishaku (30) and Musa Abdulwahab (20).
Odumosu disclosed that preliminary investigations revealed that Yakubu Abdul, an indigene of Pagada I, allegedly recruited Garba Isah and Mohammed Abubakar from Lambata in Gurara Local Government Area of Niger State to participate in the illegal operation.
He further alleged that three members of a local vigilante group were involved by providing security cover for the vandals while they siphoned fuel from the pipeline.
The NSCDC recovered two motorcycles, four 25-litre jerrycans filled with suspected PMS, two empty 25-litre jerrycans, one shovel, two locally made guns and a hand drilling machine believed to have been used in puncturing the pipeline.
Odumosu said all exhibits had been documented and secured to aid ongoing investigations and prosecution.
According to him, the suspects have been profiled, cautioned and granted administrative bail to enable them contact their relatives while investigations continue.
He added that efforts were ongoing to arrest other members of the criminal syndicate behind the operation.
The commandant condemned pipeline vandalism, describing it as a serious act of economic sabotage capable of crippling the nation’s economy, causing fuel shortages and endangering lives through fire outbreaks and environmental pollution.
He warned that the NSCDC would intensify surveillance around critical national assets across the FCT, stressing that anyone caught vandalising oil pipelines, transformers, railway facilities, armoured cables, streetlights, manhole covers and other public infrastructure would face the full weight of the law.
Odumosu commended residents of the Dobi community for providing the intelligence that led to the successful operation and urged Nigerians to continue supporting security agencies with timely information to combat economic sabotage.
He also directed the Command’s Investigation Department to intensify efforts to track down other members of the syndicate and ensure everyone involved is brought to justice.
