Taraba Police Arrest Nine Suspects Over NNPC Pipeline Vandalism

Story: written by Zara September 23,2025
The Taraba State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of nine suspects linked to the vandalism of a Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) pipeline located around the Kona Mountains and Minda axis.

Police Public Relations Officer, James Lashen Saminu, disclosed in a statement on Tuesday that the arrests were carried out on September 15, 2025, at about 10:13 a.m. following intelligence reports that vandals were tampering with the facility.

According to him, operatives from the Anti-Kidnapping Squad, led by Ayuba Yohanna, stormed the scene and apprehended the suspects in the middle of the illegal act.

The individuals arrested include: Lagne Apollos (20), Isa Aminu (20), Ahmad Aminu (15), Kamal Abubakar (25), Solomon Tanko (20), Simon Mathias (19), Victor Kanu (26), Dogara Patrick (21), and Emmanuel Apollos (20).

Recovered items from the operation include 30 cut-to-size pipes, three long welding cylinders, two short gas cylinders, three shovels, three chains, three pairs of scissors, three hammers, and one vintage Ridgid tool.

Saminu said the suspects and seized materials remain in custody while investigations are ongoing. He further stressed that the Command is committed to safeguarding critical infrastructure and warned that anyone found sabotaging national assets will face strict legal consequences.