Police arrest 7, recover 285 vandalised NNPC pipelines in Adamawa

The Nigeria Police Force has arrested seven suspected members of a pipeline vandalism syndicate in Adamawa State and recovered 285 pieces of vandalised Nigerian National Petroleum Company, NNPC, pipelines in what it described as a major breakthrough in the fight against economic sabotage.

The operation, carried out by operatives of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP, Special Task Force on Petroleum and Illegal Bunkering in collaboration with the IGP X-Squad, followed credible intelligence on the activities of the suspected syndicate.

According to a statement issued on Tuesday by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Anietie Okokon Edem Iniedu, the suspects were apprehended after operatives intercepted a J5 bus loaded with suspected vandalised NNPC pipelines along the Yola–Numan Road in Adamawa State.

The police said the intelligence-led operation began on July 9, 2026, when officers stopped the vehicle, which was being driven by Paul Joshua and accompanied by Paul Ishiyaku.

The interception, the statement said, led to the arrest of 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.

During follow-up searches, police recovered 285 pieces of vandalised NNPC pipelines, six gas cylinders, diggers, shovels, the J5 bus with registration number KRD 767 XC, and other equipment suspected to have been used in carrying out the illegal activities.

The recovered items have been secured as exhibits, while the suspects remain in police custody.

The Force said investigations were ongoing to unravel the full extent of the criminal network and identify other individuals believed to be connected with the vandalism operation.

The police described pipeline vandalism as a serious threat to Nigeria’s economic security, noting that the destruction of petroleum infrastructure often results in huge financial losses, environmental degradation and disruption of energy supply.

Reaffirming its commitment to tackling economic sabotage, the Force said the administration of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, remained focused on protecting critical national infrastructure through intelligence-led policing and coordinated enforcement operations.

The police also appealed to members of the public to remain vigilant and continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies to support efforts aimed at combating crime and safeguarding national assets across the country.