The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has recovered 285 vandalised Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) pipeline sections in Adamawa State following an intelligence-led operation that dismantled a suspected pipeline vandalism network and led to the arrest of seven suspects.
The recovery followed a coordinated operation by operatives of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Special Task Force on Petroleum and Illegal Bunkering and the IGP X-Squad, who intercepted a J5 bus conveying the suspected vandalised pipeline sections along the Yola–Numan Road after acting on credible intelligence.
According to the Police, intelligence received on 9 July 2026 prompted the operation, during which officers stopped the J5 bus fully loaded with the suspected vandalised NNPC pipeline sections.
The vehicle was reportedly driven by Paul Joshua, with Paul Ishiyaku travelling as a passenger.
The interception led to further investigations and the arrest of seven suspects identified as Haruna Usman (28), Haruna Sule (30), Dabus Peter (38), Ahmad Adamu (19), Sadik Ibrahim (31), Paul Joshua (49), and Paul Ishiyaku (48), all believed to be connected to the alleged pipeline vandalism network.
Subsequent searches carried out by the operatives resulted in the recovery of 285 pieces of vandalised NNPC pipeline sections, 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 illegal operation.
The Police said all recovered items have been secured as exhibits to aid ongoing investigations.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Force Public Relations Officer, Anietie Iniedu, said the suspects remain in police custody while investigators work to unravel the full scope of the alleged criminal enterprise and identify other individuals linked to the vandalism network.
He noted that the investigation is aimed at uncovering the source and destination of the recovered pipeline materials, as well as exposing any additional collaborators involved in the illegal activity.
Iniedu reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force, under the leadership of the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, to protecting critical national infrastructure and intensifying efforts to combat economic sabotage across the country.
He also urged members of the public to remain vigilant and continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies to support ongoing operations against pipeline vandalism, illegal bunkering, and other crimes threatening Nigeria’s strategic assets.