The Nigeria Police Force, through operatives of the IGP Special Task Force on Petroleum and Illegal Bunkering and the IGP X-Squad, has dismantled a pipeline vandalism network operating in Adamawa State, leading to the arrest of seven young men and the recovery of 285 pieces of Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) pipes.
Acting on credible intelligence, operatives intercepted a J5 bus loaded with vandalised pipes along the Yola-Numan Road in Adamawa State. The vehicle was driven by one Paul Joshua and accompanied by Paul Ishiyaku.
The operation subsequently led to the arrest of seven men whose names were given 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 pipes, six gas cylinders, diggers, shovels, one J5 bus with registration number KRD 767 XC and other equipment suspected to have been used in the commission of the crime.
“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,” the Nigeria Police said in a statement on Tuesday, July 21.
