JOURNAL OF POLITICAL SCIENCE AND LEADERSHIP RESEARCH (JPSLR )
E-ISSN 2504-883X
P-ISSN 2695 2432
VOL. 11 NO. 4 2025
DOI: 10.56201/jpslr.vol.11.no4.2025.pg43.63
G Nsiegbe PhD, W, G Tamunoiyowunam
Petroleum pipeline vandalism in oil rich communities of Nigeria seems to have taken toll on so many aspects of the country’s national life. This is even more so as pipeline vandalism seems not to abate. This study examined the effect of petroleum pipeline vandalism on human security in the Niger Delta Area of Nigeria. The study is anchored based on the mixed research design. The population of the study is 44,112,908 persons representing the total figure of nine Niger Delta States as projected by both the Bureau for National Statistics (NBS) and the Nigeria Population Commission (NPC), 2022. A sample size of 400 respondents was drawn from the population via the application of the Taro Yamene Formula. A 4-point modified Likert-Scale Questionnaire was used to collect data from the respondents; this was complimented with information gotten from interviewers and other secondary documented materials. Generated data were analyzed via tables and simple percentages, while the hypothesis was tested using Chi-square. The study concluded that; poor policing, crime collaboration, wide spread poverty, sabotage etc are responsible or are the chief cause of pipeline vandalism. the paper revealed that, oil pipeline disasters/vandalism have resulted to low production of petroleum products, low prices of products, power failure, corruption, destruction of family assets and environmental degradation which are all veritable impediment to human security. Accordingly, the paper recommends that; the federal government and the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), should strengthen the recently adopted local security surveillance network for monitoring oil pipeline installations within the coastal communities of the Niger Delta Area of Nigeria, as a strategy for mitigating pipeline vandalism and improving human security.
Petroleum, Vandalism, Pipelines, Security.
Adoloju, L. (2023). Oil theft and national development in Nigeria. Journal of Behavioural
Sciences and Development Studies, 1(2), 105-119.
Afinotan, L.A., & Ojakorotu, V. (2009). The Niger Delta crisis: Issues, challenges and
prospects. African Journal of Political Science and International Relations, 3(5), 191-
Agbazie, K.N. (2004). Petroleum pipelines leakages in Nigeria. PPMC press.
Agomuoh, A. E., Ossia, C. V., & Chukwumah, F. O. (2021). asset integrity management in
mitigating oil and gas pipeline vandalism in the Niger Delta Region—Deep burial
solution. World Journal of Engineering and Technology, 9, 565 – 578.
Agusomu, T.D., & Paki, F.A.E. (2018). Crude oil theft, illegal bunkering and pipeline
vandalism in Nigeria’s Niger Delta: scope, actors and causes. Journal of Environmental
Sciences and Resources Management, 10 (3), 2018.
Aisha, I., Chukwudi, P., & Hauwa’u, C. (2016). 3 killed, 39 vehicles burnt in Lagos tanker
explosion. Nations Newsstudy, 7 - 8.
Akinleye,
A.
(2019).
Oil
pipeline
vandalism
in
the
Niger
Delta.
https://www.accord.org.za/conflict-trends/oil-pipeline-vandalism-in-the-niger-delta/
Akpan, U. (2013). Indigenous operators express worry as cost of oil theft hits N15.66n.
National Mirror. https://www.nationalmmirror.com/cost-of- oil-theft
Amadi, F., & Abdulqadir, U.A. (2022). Pipeline vandalism and its implications on the
environment: The Ogoni experience. FUOYE Journal of Criminology and Security
Studies (FJCSS), 1(2), 2786 – 9636.
Amaraegbu, D. A. (2010). Analysis of anti-corruption policies in Africa: The cases of Nigeria
Ambrose, B., Seabright, A.E., & Schminke, P. (2002). Private gain public disaster social
context of illegal oil bunkering and artisanal refining in the Niger Delta. Nideref
Redeemers Relief Agency International.
Amsel, A. (1992). Frustration theory: An analysis of dispositional learning and memory.
Cambridge. Cambridge University Press.
Annan, K. (2013). Secretary-General salutes international workshop on human security in
Mongolia. Two-Day Session in Ulaanbaatar, May 8-10, 2000. Press Release
SG/SM/7382.
Anyio, F.S. (2015). Illegal oil bunkering and oil theft in Nigeria: Impact on the national
economy and the way forward. Llimi Journal of Arts and Social Science, 1 (1), 2504 –
Asu, F. (2016). Theft, vandalism leave fuel pipelines, depots idle. Punch Newspaper.
https://www.punchnewspaper.com/theft-vandalism-leave-fuel-pipelines-idle.
AU (2005). Crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism cross over to 2005. The Sun Newspaper.
http://sunnewsonline.com/new/specials/Abuja-metro/crude-oil-theft-pipeline-
vandalismcross-2005.
Ayoade, F. O. (2011). The issue of ownership and the Nigerian situation. FJRSB, 2, 61-82.
Azigbo, B. J. (2008). Blood oil in the Niger Delta: Special Report. Washington; United States
Institute of Peace. http://www.usip.org
Bandura, A. (1977). Self-efficacy: Toward a unifying theory of behavioural change.
Psychological Review, 84(2), 191–215.
Berkowitz, L. (1989). Frustration-aggression hypothesis: Examination and reformulation.
Psychological Bulletin, 106(1), 59 – 73.
Best, S. (2012). Introduction to peace and conflict studies in West Africa. Spectrum Books.
Boris, H.O. (2015). Oil theft and insecurity in post amnesty era in the Niger-Delta Region of
Nigeria: Implications on national security. Journal of Environmental Research and
Management, 7(1), 001-012.
Boris, H.O. (2016). The upsurge of oil theft and illegal bunkering in the Niger Delta region of
Nigeria: Is there a way out? Centre for Population and Environmental Development,
Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria
Brown, J. S., & Farber, I. E. (1951). Emotions conceptualized as intervening variables: With
suggestions toward a theory of frustration. Psychological Bulletin, 48(6), 465–495.
CBN (2016, October 1). Nigeria loses 150,000 barrels of oil export daily. New Telegraph.
https://www.newtelegraph.com/nigeria-losses-150,000-barrels-of-export-daily
Chibuzor, K.N., Chukwujekwu, I.U., & Ekeme, A.E. (2014). Oil spill incidents and pipeline
vandalization in Nigeria: Impact on public health and negation to attainment of
Millennium Development Goal: The Ishiagu example. Disaster Prevention and
Management, 19(1), 70-87.
Chibuzor, O. B. (2014) UP front: Oil theft the fleecing of Nigeria. Premium Times.
Christensen, H. H., Johnson, D. R., & Brookes, M. (1992). Vandalism: Research, prevention,
and social policy. Department of Agriculture Forest Service.
CIA (2007). Military involvement in oil theft in the Niger Delta: A discussion paper.
Cilliers, O. (2004, January 18). Playing with fire. 1:72. This Day Newspaper.
Commission
on
Human
Security
(2003).
Human
security.
CHS.
https://www.un.org/.../chs_final_report_-english.pdf
Cullen, F. T. (1984). Rethinking crime and deviance theory: The emergence of a structuring
tradition. Rowman & Allanheld.
Da Gloria, J. (1984). Frustration, aggression, and the sense of justice. In A. Mummendey (Ed.),
Social psychology of aggression: From individual behaviour to social interaction (pp.
127–141). Springer.
Davis, T. C. (2007). Stages of emergency: Cold War nuclear civil defence. Duke University
Press.
Deutsch, M. (1993). Educating for a peaceful world. American Psychologist, 48(5), 510–517.
Dodondawa, T. (2014, Aug. 12). Oil theft: Nigeria’s $20bn per annum cesspit. Nigerian
Tribune.
Dollard, J., Miller, N. E., Doob, L. W., Mowrer, O. H., & Sears, R. (1939). Frustration and
aggression. Yale University Press.
Douglas, C.I. (2004). Security challenges and economy of the Nigeria State (2007 – 2011)
American International Journal of Contemporary Research, 2 (6), 244 – 258.
Ebegbulem, J. C. (2011). Federalism and the politics of resource control in Nigeria: A critical
analysis of the Niger Delta crisis. International Journal of Humanities and Social
Science. 1(12), 218-229.
Ebiri, E., & Onakemu, I. (2016). Causes and implication of crude oil pipeline vandalism in
Nigeria. Journal of Management and Social Science, 5(5), 23-45.
Edun, S.A., Olaniyi, T. K., & Lawani, K. (2023). Modelling the implications of oil pipeline
vandalism on the Nigeria Economy: A case study of Niger Delta Region. International
Journal of Innovative Business Strategies (IJIBS), 9 (2), 2023.
Egwemi, B. (2010). The upsurge of oil theft and illegal bunkering in the Niger Delta Region
of Nigeria: Is There Any Way Out? Mediterranean Journal of Social Sciences, 6 (3)
(2010).
Ejibunu, A.A (2007). Niger Delta oil pollution. A case study of degradation and under
development (PhD thesis, University Port Harcourt, Port Harcourt Nigeria), UPH.
Ekpe, D.E., Bisong, F.E., Agishi, T.V., & Coker, M.A. (2017). The dynamics of human and
national security in Nigeria: Lessons from the Boko Haram insurgency. International
Journal of Asian Social Science, 7(6), 505 - 520.
Ekpu, R. (2004). The dilemma of the Niger Delta. Newswatch.
Elum, Z., Mopipi, K., & Henri-Ukoha, A. (2016). Oil exploitation and its socioeconomic
effects on the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. Environmental Science and Pollution
Research, 23, 12880 - 12889.
Emelu, V. O, Oyegun, C. U., & Eludoyin, O. S. (2021). Causes of oil and gas pipeline
vandalism in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria. Quest Journals: Journal of Research
in Humanities and Social Science, 9 (9), 01 – 07.
Etekpe, A., & Okolo, P.O. (2010). Oil pipeline vandalization and the socio-economic effects
in Nigeria’s Niger-Delta Region. https://www.researchgate.net
Everest, C.N., David, O. P., & Ugochukwu, N. E. (2022). Youth’s unemployment and oil
pipeline vandalism: A study of Warri South-West L.G.A of Delta State, Nigeria.
Jalingo Journal of Social and Management Sciences, 4 (1), 2022.
Eyinla, P., & Ukpo, J. (2006). Nigeria: The travesty of oil and gas wealth. The Catholic FAO
(2020). World food summit.