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

By Kingsley Omonobi

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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