A major case of suspected economic sabotage has been uncovered in Nigeria’s South-East, where vandals reportedly excavated and stole over three kilometres of the Port Harcourt–Kaduna petroleum pipeline.
The incident occurred in remote forest areas between Eha-Amufu in Isi-Uzo Local Government Area of Enugu State and Obeagu community in Ishielu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
Investigations suggest the operation was highly organised, involving heavy equipment, logistics support, and a prolonged stay in the forest, where the suspected vandals allegedly operated for weeks without detection.
Sources claim the group established a makeshift camp in the forest, excavated buried sections of the pipeline, cut them into transportable pieces, and evacuated them using trucks under unclear circumstances.
Residents alleged that dozens of workers were mobilised for the operation, while some claimed security agencies and local actors may have been aware of the activity but failed to intervene. These allegations remain unverified.
The affected pipeline is a key national infrastructure used for transporting refined petroleum products from the Port Harcourt corridor to Kaduna and other parts of northern Nigeria.
The scale of the damage has raised concerns over the security of critical infrastructure, especially in remote and forested border communities where access is difficult and insecurity has persisted.
Community members also pointed to long-standing insecurity in the region, including displacement caused by armed attacks, which they say may have created gaps in surveillance and local monitoring.
Security experts warn that the incident highlights vulnerabilities in Nigeria’s pipeline protection systems and poses serious risks to national energy supply and economic stability.
Authorities including the police, NSCDC, and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) are yet to issue official statements on the reported vandalisation.
