Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) have arrested seven suspected pipeline vandals and recovered 285 vandalised Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) pipelines during an operation in Adamawa State.
The operation was carried out by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Special Task Force on Petroleum and Illegal Bunkering, working alongside the IGP X-Squad.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Aniete Okokon Iniedu, said the operation was launched following credible intelligence received on July 9, 2026.
According to the police, operatives intercepted a J5 bus loaded with suspected vandalised NNPC pipelines along the Yola–Numan Road in Adamawa State.
The vehicle was reportedly driven by Paul Joshua, while Paul Ishiyaku was travelling as a passenger.
Further investigations 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)
- Paul Ishiyaku (48)
The police also recovered 285 pieces of vandalised NNPC pipelines, six gas cylinders, diggers, shovels, a blue J5 bus with registration number KRD 767 XC, and other equipment believed to have been used in carrying out the illegal operation.
According to the police, all recovered items have been secured as exhibits, while the suspects remain in custody as investigations continue to identify other members of the criminal network.
The Force reiterated its commitment, under the leadership of Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Rilwan Disu, to protecting critical national infrastructure and tackling economic sabotage across the country.
The police also urged members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies to support efforts aimed at combating crime.
