The Adamawa State Police Command has arrested seven suspects over the alleged vandalisation of petroleum pipelines during a joint operation with the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Special Task Force on Petroleum and Illegal Bunkering.
The operation was carried out at Kwarami, Mbilla Farm in Mayo-Belwa Local Government Area of Adamawa State, where police said the suspects were apprehended while allegedly engaging in the illegal activity.
According to the police, operatives attached to the IGP X-Squad Unit, working alongside the IGP Special Task Force on Petroleum and Illegal Bunkering, recovered 285 pieces of vandalised pipelines, six gas cylinders, shovels, diggers and other tools believed to have been used in the operation.
The suspects were identified as Haruna Usman, 28; Haruna Muhammed Sule, 30; Dabus Peter, 38; Ahamad Adamu, 19; Paul Joshua, 49, from Plateau State; Paul Ishiyaku, 48, also from Plateau State; and Sadik Ibrahim, 31, from Gombe State.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Adamawa State Command, SP Suleiman Yahaya Nguroje, said the suspects were in police custody while investigations continued.
He said detectives were working to determine each suspect’s level of involvement and identify other members of the alleged criminal network behind the vandalism.
“The recovered exhibits have been secured as evidence,” the statement added.
The police reiterated their commitment to protecting critical national assets and infrastructure, urging members of the public to provide timely and credible information that could help prevent and combat crimes, particularly the vandalisation of public facilities.
(The Whistler)