By Jane Salihu
The Nigeria Police Force has recorded a major breakthrough in the fight against economic sabotage with the dismantling of an alleged pipeline vandalism syndicate in Adamawa State, recovering 285 vandalised Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) pipelines and arresting seven suspects.
The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Anietie Okokon Edem Iniedu, who said the operation was carried out by operatives of the Inspector-General of Police 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, which led police operatives to intercept a J5 bus conveying suspected vandalised NNPC pipelines along the Yola-Numan Road in Adamawa State.
The vehicle was reportedly driven by Paul Joshua, with Paul Ishiyaku as a passenger.
The police said further investigations 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).
The statement added that subsequent searches resulted in the recovery of 285 pieces of vandalised pipelines, six gas cylinders, diggers, shovels, the J5 bus with registration number KRD 767 XC, and other equipment believed to have been used in carrying out the illegal operation.
All recovered exhibits have been taken into police custody as investigations continue.
The Force said detectives are working to uncover the full extent of the alleged criminal network and identify other individuals linked to the pipeline vandalism activities.
Reaffirming the commitment of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, to protecting critical national infrastructure, the police said the Force would sustain efforts to combat pipeline vandalism, illegal bunkering and other forms of economic sabotage across the country.
The police also appealed to members of the public to continue providing credible and timely information that would assist security agencies in protecting national assets and preventing criminal activities.
