The Nigeria Police Force has arrested seven suspected pipeline vandals and recovered 285 pieces of vandalised Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) pipelines during an operation in Adamawa State.
The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Anietie Okonkon Edem Iniedu, disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday, saying the operation was 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.
According to the statement, the operation followed credible intelligence received on July 9, 2026, which led operatives to intercept a J5 bus loaded with suspected vandalised NNPC pipelines along the Yola–Numan Road in Adamawa State.
Police identified the driver of the vehicle as Paul Joshua, while Paul Ishiyaku was travelling with him.
The operation 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.
Police said further searches resulted in the recovery of 285 pieces of vandalised NNPC pipelines, six gas cylinders, diggers, shovels, a blue J5 bus with registration number KRD 767 XC, and other equipment suspected to have been used in carrying out the vandalism.
The recovered items have been secured as exhibits, while the suspects remain in police custody.
The Force said investigations are ongoing to determine the full extent of the alleged pipeline vandalism network and identify other individuals connected to the operation.
The Police added that the operation forms part of ongoing efforts to combat pipeline vandalism, illegal bunkering and other organised crimes across the country.
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