Operatives of the IGP Special Task Force on Petroleum and Illegal Bunkering and the IGP X-Squad have successfully dismantled a pipeline vandalism network operating in Adamawa State.
The operation led to the arrest of seven suspects and the recovery of 285 pieces of vandalized Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) pipelines.
Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Anietie Iniedu in a statement on Tuesday said acting on credible intelligence received on 9th July, 2026, operatives intercepted a J5 bus fully loaded with suspected vandalized NNPC pipelines along the Yola–Numan Road in Adamawa State.
He added: “The vehicle was driven by one Paul Joshua and accompanied by one Paul Ishiyaku.
“The operation subsequently 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).
“Further searches conducted during the operation resulted in the recovery of 285 pieces of vandalised pipelines, six gas cylinders, diggers, shovels, one J5 bus with registration number KRD 767 XC, blue in colour, and other equipment suspected to have been used in the commission of the crime. All recovered exhibits have been secured as evidence.”
Iniedu stressed that the suspects are currently in police custody, while investigations are ongoing to determine the full scope of the criminal enterprise and identify other individuals connected to the vandalism network.