The Nigeria Police Force has recorded a major breakthrough in the fight against economic sabotage with the arrest of seven suspected pipeline vandals and the recovery of 285 vandalised Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) pipeline sections in Adamawa State.
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 received on July 9, 2026.
Police said the operatives intercepted a J5 bus loaded with suspected vandalised NNPC pipelines along the Yola–Numan Road. The vehicle was driven by Paul Joshua, who was arrested alongside Paul Ishiyaku.
Further investigations led to the arrest of five other suspects identified as Haruna Usman, 28; Haruna Muhammed Sule, 30; Dabus Peter, 38; Ahmad Adamu, 19; and Sadik Ibrahim, 31.
According to the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Anietie Okokon Edem Iniedu, the police recovered 285 pieces of vandalised pipelines, six gas cylinders, diggers, shovels, a blue J5 bus with registration number KRD 767 XC, and other tools believed to have been used for the illegal operation.
The suspects are currently in police custody, while investigations are ongoing to unravel the full extent of the criminal network and apprehend other accomplices.
The police reaffirmed their commitment under the leadership of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, to protect critical national infrastructure and combat economic sabotage.
The Force also urged members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to aid security agencies in safeguarding national assets.
