The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Federal Capital Territory Command, has arrested three suspects over alleged vandalism of Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) pipelines in Dafa village, Kwali Area Council, Abuja.
The suspects, identified as Maitama Inuwa, 30, Yahuza Danlami, 32, and Yasir Abdulrahman, 26, were arrested during an operation following intelligence about suspicious activities along the pipeline route.
According to the FCT NSCDC Commandant, Dr Olusola Odumosu, the suspects allegedly returned to the area on September 20 to load previously abandoned sections of vandalised pipeline into a truck after initially fleeing when security operatives arrived.
The NSCDC said a long commercial truck, registration number MAK 159 XA (Niger), loaded with vandalised NNPC pipes was recovered alongside 17 pieces of petroleum pipes.
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Odumosu disclosed that four other suspects linked to the alleged operation are still at large, while investigations are ongoing to uncover other members of the suspected network, including those allegedly sponsoring or purchasing the vandalised materials.
The three arrested suspects have reportedly undergone preliminary investigation and profiling and were granted administrative bail after meeting the required conditions.
The NSCDC said its Legal Unit would review the case file before further legal action is taken, stressing that anyone found culpable would be prosecuted in accordance with the law.
The command also urged members of the public to continue providing credible information that could assist security agencies in tackling pipeline vandalism and other forms of economic crime.
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