The Adamawa State Police Command has arrested seven individuals suspected of vandalizing critical structures belonging to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC).

According to the police, the suspects were apprehended on Friday, October 25, following a tip-off from a good Samaritan, which led to the recovery of 53 pieces of vandalized pipelines.

A statement signed by Suleiman Nguroje said the suspects conspired to steal the confiscated pipeline pieces.

Those arrested include Umar Musa, 40, from Abuja; Mohammed Hassan, 25, from Yobe State; Adamu Abdullahi, 28, from Yobe State; Yakubu Adamu, 27, from Yobe State; Gabriel Wale, 40, from Lagos State; Abubakar Garba, 40, from Kaduna State; and Aliyu Muhammad, 28, from Bauchi State.

“This distressing incident poses a substantial threat to public safety and represents a severe act of economic sabotage as it pertains to crucial infrastructure linking Adamawa State and the southern part of the country,” the police command stated.

It added that the case is currently under comprehensive investigation, with efforts underway to apprehend collaborators allegedly operating behind the scenes.