NNPCL, Security Agencies Intensify Crackdown on Pipeline Vandals

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPC Ltd., and security agencies have stepped up efforts to combat pipeline vandalism following the discovery of a damaged section of the Nigerian Pipelines and Storage Company, NPSC, crude oil pipeline at Pai Community in Kwali Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory.

According to Vanguard, the joint inspection involved NNPC’s Industry-wide Security Architecture, IWSA, NPSC, the Office of the National Security Adviser’s Special Prosecution Team, the FCT Police Command, the Nigerian Army and other security stakeholders.

The exercise was aimed at assessing the extent of damage, advancing investigations and strengthening coordinated measures to protect critical national energy infrastructure from economic sabotage. The visit followed the arrest of three suspected pipeline vandals in Piri and Pai communities through a joint operation involving ONSA’s Special Prosecution Team, the FCT Police Command and NNPC Ltd.’s IWSA.

NPSC, a subsidiary of NNPC Ltd., operates more than 5,000 kilometres of crude oil and petroleum products pipelines across Nigeria. However, pipeline attacks have increased in recent years, with criminal groups targeting infrastructure for illegal removal and theft.

For NNPC and the security agencies, the intensified crackdown is meant to send a stronger deterrent signal and to recover control of assets that are critical to Nigeria’s domestic fuel supply and export earnings.

Sources: Vanguard