By Palma Ileye
Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command, has arrested six suspected vandals for allegedly vandalising petroleum pipelines and stealing Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) in Pagada I, Dobi Ward, Gwagwalada Area Council of Abuja.
The FCT Commandant of the Corps, Dr. Olusola Odumosu, disclosed this yestetday while parading the suspects at the vandalism site.
Odumosu said the suspects, all males aged between 20 and 32 years, were arrested by the Command’s Anti-Vandal Squad following credible intelligence and a tip-off about suspicious activities around pipelines belonging to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC).
He said the suspects were caught scooping and loading PMS into jerrycans and plastic bags from pipelines allegedly punctured with drilling machines.
According to him, exhibits 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.
The Commandant revealed that preliminary investigations showed the suspects had studied the terrain and knew the exact locations of buried pipelines containing fuel residue.
He further disclosed that an indigene of Pagada I Village allegedly recruited two of his friends from the Lambata area to participate in the operation.
Odumosu added that investigations also implicated three vigilante members who allegedly provided security cover for the suspects, enabling them to carry out the illegal activity.
“During an intelligence-led operation on July 18, 2026, at Pagada I, Dubi Ward in Gwagwalada Area Council, six suspected oil pipeline vandals and petroleum product thieves were arrested. Preliminary investigations showed that one suspect, an indigene of the community, allegedly recruited accomplices from Niger State, while three local vigilante members allegedly provided cover.
“We recovered two motorcycles, jerrycans of suspected PMS, locally fabricated firearms, a hand drilling machine used to puncture the pipeline, and other exhibits.
“We condemn all forms of vandalism as economic sabotage that threaten public safety and critical infrastructure. Surveillance has been intensified across the FCT, and anyone found destroying public infrastructure will face the full weight of the law. I commend the Dobi community for its cooperation and urge residents to keep providing timely intelligence as investigations continue,” the FCT Commandant said.
He said efforts were ongoing to identify and apprehend other members of the syndicate involved in the crime.
The NSCDC boss noted that the Nigeria Petroleum Storage Company had been notified to repair and seal the damaged pipelines.
He reiterated the Corps’ commitment to combating pipeline vandalism, economic sabotage and theft of petroleum products, warning that anyone caught destroying public infrastructure would be prosecuted in accordance with the law.
According to him, vandalism of public assets such as manhole covers, crash barriers, bridge aluminium, streetlights, armoured cables, transformers and railway sleepers poses a serious threat to the nation’s economy and public safety.
He warned that such criminal activities contribute to fuel scarcity, environmental pollution and the risk of fire outbreaks that could endanger residents and farmlands.
Odumosu urged residents to support security agencies by providing credible and timely information, assuring them that all information would be treated confidentially.
He also called on community leaders to sensitise residents on the importance of cooperating with security agencies in protecting critical national assets.
Speaking at the event, the Councillor representing Dobi Ward, Gado Shuaibu, commended the NSCDC for its swift response and praised members of the community for supporting efforts to curb vandalism.
He warned residents against engaging in acts of vandalism, stressing that he would not intervene on behalf of anyone arrested for such offences.
Also speaking, the Village Head of Pagada I, Abubakar Ibrahim, pledged continued collaboration between the community and security agencies to safeguard public infrastructure and prevent criminal activities.
