The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command, has arrested six suspected pipeline vandals accused of puncturing Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) pipelines and stealing Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) in Gwagwalada Area Council.
The suspects were arrested at Pagada I, Dobi Ward, where security operatives said they caught them allegedly scooping fuel from vandalised pipelines into jerrycans and plastic bags.
The FCT Commandant of the NSCDC, Dr Olusola Odumosu, disclosed this on Thursday while addressing journalists at the scene of the alleged vandalism.
Odumosu said the six suspects, all males aged between 20 and 32, were arrested after the command’s Anti-Vandal Squad acted on credible intelligence and a tip-off about suspicious activities around the pipelines
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He said the suspects allegedly punctured the pipelines using hand drilling machines before transferring the fuel into containers.
According to him, items recovered from the suspects include two motorcycles, two locally fabricated firearms, four 25-litre jerrycans filled with PMS, two empty jerrycans, a shovel and hand drilling machines.
Odumosu said preliminary investigations showed the suspects had studied the area and identified the exact locations of buried pipelines containing fuel residue.
He alleged that an indigene of Pagada I Village recruited two associates from the Lambata area for the operation.
The commandant also alleged that three members of a local vigilante group supported the suspects by providing security cover while the vandalism was carried out.
He said efforts were ongoing to identify and arrest other members of the syndicate.
Odumosu added that the Nigeria Petroleum Storage Company had been notified to repair and seal the damaged sections of the pipelines.
He reiterated the command’s commitment to tackling pipeline vandalism and other acts of economic sabotage across the FCT.
“We condemn in strong terms any form of vandalism in the FCT, be it manhole covers, crash barriers, bridge aluminium, streetlights, armoured cables, transformers, railway sleepers and so on.
“It is a deliberate and intentional act of economic sabotage intended to undermine, damage and cripple our nation’s economy,” he said.
Odumosu said pipeline vandalism contributes to fuel scarcity, environmental degradation and exposes nearby communities and farmlands to fire and explosion risks.
He warned that anyone caught destroying public infrastructure for personal gain would face the full weight of the law.
The commandant appealed to residents to support security agencies with credible and timely information, assuring them that all reports would be treated confidentially.
He also urged community leaders to encourage residents to work closely with security agencies in tackling crime.
“When you see something, say something and we will do something,” he said.
The councillor representing Dobi Ward, Gado Shuaibu, commended the NSCDC and residents for their efforts in tackling pipeline vandalism.
He praised the command’s swift response and said he would not intervene on behalf of anyone arrested over vandalism.
Also speaking, the Village Chief of Pagada I, Abubakar Ibrahim, assured the NSCDC of the community’s continued support in protecting critical national assets and fighting criminal activities.
(The Whistler)
