Authorities in Benin have uncovered a suspected network involved in the theft of large-diameter pipes from the National Water Company of Benin (SONEB), in a move highlighting the country’s intensified efforts to protect strategic infrastructure.
The operation, carried out on August 13, 2025, by the Ouèdo district police, followed intelligence reports suggesting the deliberate sabotage and theft of 12-meter water pipes intended for local village water supply projects.
Initial investigations indicate that some individuals working on the drinking water projects deliberately dismantled the pipes before selling them to hardware stores, disrupting both ongoing construction and the provision of water to local communities.
Police implemented discreet surveillance after receiving tips, observing two workers and two managers in a wooded area with saws, preparing to cut pipes hidden in the bush. The scene suggested a coordinated effort to facilitate black market sales of the stolen infrastructure.
A rapid intervention by the police led to the arrest of the two workers on the spot, who were found in possession of the equipment used for cutting. The two officials accompanying them managed to escape in a company vehicle.
Subsequent searches were conducted at SONEB’s Togba headquarters and at the residence of one of the fugitives, though no significant results were reported. The two arrested workers remain in police custody as authorities continue to investigate, seeking to locate the fugitives and identify all members of the network.
This case underscores the challenges faced in protecting public utilities in Benin, where theft and sabotage of infrastructure can have direct consequences on essential services. Law enforcement officials have reiterated their commitment to cracking down on organized economic crime and safeguarding projects critical to the country’s development.
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