YOLA — The Nigeria Police Force has dealt a heavy blow to economic sabotage in the North-East region, dismantling a major pipeline vandalism ring in Adamawa State with the arrest of seven suspects and the recovery of 285 pieces of vandalized Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) pipelines.
The breakthrough followed a coordinated intelligence-led operation executed by operatives of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Special Task Force on Petroleum and Illegal Bunkering alongside the IGP X-Squad.
According to police reports, security forces acting on credible intelligence intercepted a fully loaded blue J5 bus (registration number KRD 767 XC) along the critical Yola–Numan Road. The vehicle, which was stacked with suspected stolen and vandalized infrastructure, was driven by Paul Joshua, 49, and accompanied by Paul Ishiyaku, 48.
Subsequent investigations and follow-up raids led authorities to a hideout in Kwarami, Mbilla Farm area within the Mayo-Belwa Local Government Area. This expanded sweep netted five additional suspects: Haruna Usman (28), Haruna Muhammed Sule (30), Dabus Peter (38), Ahmad Adamu (19), and Sadik Ibrahim (31).
In addition to the 285 sections of cut-up pipelines, law enforcement recovered vital tools of the illicit trade, including six gas cylinders, diggers, shovels, and the transit bus. All exhibits have been cataloged and secured as evidence.
Speaking on the development, Force Headquarters reaffirmed the unwavering stance of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, against economic sabotage and the systematic destruction of critical national assets.
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Police authorities confirmed that all seven suspects are currently in custody while comprehensive profiling and discreet investigations continue to track down other members of the broader criminal syndicate. The Force has also appealed to members of the public to maintain high vigilance and sustain the flow of timely, credible intelligence to security agencies to safeguard national infrastructure across the country.
