Police arrest seven suspects, recover 285 vandalised NNPC pipelines in Adamawa

n n

By Kingsley Omonobi

n

ABUJA — Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force have dismantled a pipeline vandalism syndicate in Adamawa State, arresting seven suspects and recovering 285 pieces of vandalised Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) pipelines.

n

The operation was carried out by personnel of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Special Task Force on Petroleum and Illegal Bunkering in collaboration with the IGP X-Squad.

n

Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Aniete Okokon Iniedu, disclosed the development in a statement on Wednesday, saying investigations were ongoing to uncover the full extent of the criminal network and identify other collaborators.

n

According to him, the operation followed credible intelligence received on July 9, 2026, which led operatives to intercept a J5 bus loaded with suspected vandalised NNPC pipelines along the Yola–Numan Road in Adamawa State.

n

He said the vehicle was driven by Paul Joshua, with Paul Ishiyaku as a passenger.

n

The police subsequently arrested seven suspects identified as Haruna Usman, 28; Haruna Muhammed Sule, 30; Dabus Peter, 38; Ahmad Adamu, 19; Sadik Ibrahim, 31; Paul Joshua, 49; and Paul Ishiyaku, 48.

n

Iniedu said further searches led to the recovery of 285 pieces of vandalised pipelines, six gas cylinders, diggers, shovels, a blue J5 bus with registration number KRD 767 XC, and other equipment suspected to have been used in carrying out the vandalism.

n

He said all recovered exhibits had been secured as evidence, while the suspects remained in police custody pending the conclusion of investigations.

n

According to the police spokesman, the Nigeria Police Force, under the leadership of Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, remains committed to protecting critical national infrastructure and combating economic sabotage.

n

He urged members of the public to remain vigilant and continue providing timely and credible information to support security agencies in the fight against crime and the protection of national assets.

n n