Pipeline vandalism has been described as a major malaise bedeviling the nation's petroleum industry.

The Kaduna Area Manager of the Pipelines and Products Marketing Company (PPMC), a subsidiary of the NNPC Engr Tunde Salako, said this during an interview in his office recently.

He said that the activities of vandals in the country have greatly hampered the distribution of petroleum products to all corners of the country. He stated that a lot of money has been lost to the repairs of these vandalized pipelines in different parts of the country.

Mr Salako added that only recently, some vandals were caught carting away products and were handed over to the police. The nine suspected pipeline vandals were recently arrested and paraded before newsmen in Kaduna.

Three of the suspects were arrested with petroleum products loaded in jerricans in Lambar Zango village along Kaduna - Zaria road, while six others were arrested with the products loaded in trucks in Banguza village also located along the Kaduna - Zaria road.

Addressing newsmen on the incident, the State Commissioner of Police, Mr John Ahmadu had said that whatever action could be taken to rid the nation of vandals should be taken quickly.