The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited has revealed that criminal groups masquerading as a federal government task force stole about nine kilometres of pipelines across its network in 2025.
According to a statement issued by NNPC spokesperson Andy Odeh, the national oil company recorded 19 cases of pipeline theft during the year, with the stolen infrastructure traced to the Enugu-Makurdi-Yola corridor and parts of the Warri-Kaduna crude oil pipeline.
The disclosure followed a joint inspection of a vandalised section of the Nigerian Pipelines and Storage Company (NPSC) crude oil pipeline in Pai community, located in the Kwali Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory.
The inspection involved NNPC’s Industry-Wide Security Architecture (IWSA), the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) Special Prosecution Team, the FCT Police Command, the Nigerian Army and other security agencies.
NNPC said the operation was prompted by the arrest of three suspected pipeline vandals in the Piri and Pai communities during a coordinated security operation.
“The high-level inspection was undertaken to assess the extent of damage to critical national asset, advance ongoing investigations, and reinforce coordinated efforts to combat economic sabotage and safeguard Nigeria’s strategic energy infrastructure,” the statement said.
The company noted that pipeline theft across NPSC’s more than 5,000-kilometre network has increased since 2024.
“Pipeline theft across NPSC’s network has been on the increase since 2024. Well-equipped criminals disguising as ‘NNPC/Federal Government Taskforce for Recovery of Abandoned Pipelines’ connive with locals to dig out and steal those pipelines,” the statement added.
Speaking during the inspection, Bashir Ojulari said the arrests formed part of a wider effort to dismantle criminal syndicates responsible for attacks on Nigeria’s oil and gas infrastructure.
Represented by Dahiru Sani-Gwarzo, the NNPC chief executive stressed that security agencies were targeting not only those directly involved in pipeline theft but also the sponsors and financiers behind the operations.
“Those apprehended are only a small part of a larger network. Our focus remains on identifying and bringing to justice the masterminds and sponsors behind these criminal activities,” he said.
Ojulari warned that pipeline vandalism threatens national development, energy security and investor confidence.
Also speaking, Ahmed Sanusi said investigators had obtained useful leads on the sponsors of the criminal activities and those receiving stolen pipeline materials.
He assured that everyone linked to the crimes would be identified and prosecuted.
Meanwhile, Goodluck Ebele urged Nigerians to support security agencies with credible information to help prevent pipeline vandalism and other forms of economic sabotage.
On the legislative front, Sesi Whingan pledged continued support from the National Assembly for tougher measures aimed at protecting critical oil and gas infrastructure through stronger legal and regulatory frameworks.
