Police in north-eastern Nigeria have arrested seven suspects and recovered nearly 300 stolen pipeline parts following an operation targeting critical energy infrastructure.
Operatives from the Inspector-General of Police Special Task Force on Petroleum and Illegal Bunkering, alongside the X-Squad, dismantled the network during a targeted raid in Adamawa State.
The operation began on 9 July when officers acting on intelligence intercepted a blue bus along the Yola–Numan highway. The vehicle was found loaded with suspected stolen pipeline parts belonging to the state oil firm, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC).
Equipment and suspects seized
Further searches led to the arrest of seven men aged between 19 and 49, as well as the recovery of heavy-duty equipment used to dismantle the infrastructure.
Police confirmed the recovery of:
- Stolen Infrastructure: 285 pieces of vandalised NNPC pipelines.
- Tools: Six gas cylinders, diggers, shovels, and specialized cutting equipment.
- Logistics: A J5 commercial bus used for transporting the materials.
All seven suspects remain in custody while investigators work to determine the full extent of the syndicate and track down additional accomplices.
Protecting national assets
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Force Public Relations Officer Anietie Okokon Edem Iniedu reiterated the police force’s commitment to safeguarding national assets under the leadership of Inspector-General Olatunji Rilwan Disu.
Police authorities urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities around critical infrastructure to help combat economic sabotage across the country.
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