By Precious Mark
Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force have dismantled a syndicate specializing in pipeline vandalism in Adamawa State, arresting seven suspects and recovering 285 stolen Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) pipelines.
The operation was executed by a joint team from the Inspector-General of Police Special Task Force on Petroleum and Illegal Bunkering alongside the IGP X-Squad.
The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Anietie Okokon Edem Iniedu, disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday in Abuja.
According to the police spokesperson, the operation followed credible intelligence received on July 9, 2026, which led operatives to intercept a J5 bus fully loaded with vandalized NNPC pipes along the Yola–Numan Expressway.
The vehicle was driven by Paul Joshua (49) and accompanied by Paul Ishiyaku (48).
Subsequent intelligence-led operations resulted in the arrest of five additional syndicate members: Haruna Usman (28), Haruna Muhammed Sule (30), Dabus Peter (38), Ahmad Adamu (19), and Sadik Ibrahim (31).
In addition to the 285 pieces of stolen pipeline, police operatives recovered six gas cylinders, diggers, shovels, and a blue J5 bus with registration number KRD 767 XC. All items have been impounded as evidence.
“The suspects remain in police custody while investigations continue to unravel the full scope of the network and apprehend remaining accomplices,” Iniedu said.
Reaffirming the commitment of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, the Force emphasized its resolve to protect critical national infrastructure and curb economic sabotage.
The public was urged to stay vigilant and support law enforcement with timely information.