The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has raised alarm over a sophisticated wave of pipeline vandalism in which organised criminal groups now disguise themselves as a fake Federal Government task force to steal critical oil infrastructure across the country.
According to the company, about 9 kilometres of pipeline have been stolen along key corridors, while at least 24 vandalism incidents have been recorded on the Warri–Kaduna crude oil pipeline network since 2025.
NNPC made the disclosure during a joint inspection of a vandalised pipeline site at Pai Community in Kwali Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory, carried out alongside security agencies including the police, military, and the Office of the National Security Adviser.
A statement from the company’s spokesperson, Andy Odeh, described the situation as a growing threat to national energy security.
He said, “Well-equipped criminals disguise themselves as the ‘NNPC/Federal Government Taskforce for Recovery of Abandoned Pipelines’ to connive with locals and steal pipelines.”
The company explained that 19 cases were recorded in 2025 alone, with large sections of pipeline removed across the Enugu–Makurdi–Yola and Warri–Kaduna corridors. In 2026 so far, five additional incidents have already been documented in areas including Gwagwalada and Jos–Gombe routes.
Security agencies confirmed that recent arrests in Piri and Pai communities have provided useful intelligence on wider criminal networks behind the vandalism.
The Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd, Bashir Ojulari, represented at the site, said the arrests only exposed a fraction of a larger operation.
He stated, “Those apprehended are only a small part of a larger network. Our focus is on identifying and bringing to justice the masterminds and sponsors behind these crimes.”
Security operatives also warned that the stolen pipelines are part of a coordinated sabotage effort affecting national revenue and energy supply.
The Commissioner of Police in the FCT, Ahmed Muhammed Sanusi, noted that investigations were already uncovering links to sponsors and receivers of stolen materials.
He said, “We are determined to dismantle criminal syndicates involved in pipeline vandalism, and all those connected will be prosecuted.”
The Office of the National Security Adviser urged communities to assist security agencies with timely information, stressing that pipeline vandalism is a national economic threat.
A military representative, Lt. Col. J.O. Ajongbo, reaffirmed continued armed forces support, saying, “We remain committed to working with relevant agencies to protect critical national infrastructure.”
Stakeholders also warned that repeated attacks on the Warri–Kaduna pipeline corridor could disrupt crude supply to the Kaduna refinery, further affecting energy stability in the country.
Pipeline vandalism remains one of Nigeria’s most persistent oil-sector challenges, with increasing evidence that criminal networks are expanding operations beyond the Niger Delta into other regions.
