The Taraba State Police Command has arrested nine suspects over the vandalism of a Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) pipeline along the Kona Mountains and Minda axis.
Police spokesperson James Lashen Saminu, in a statement on Tuesday, said the arrests were made on September 15, 2025, around 10:13 a.m., after intelligence reports indicated that vandals were tampering with the pipeline.
According to him, operatives from the Anti-Kidnapping Squad, led by Ayuba Yohanna, moved swiftly to the location and caught the suspects in the act.
Those 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 suspects include 30 cut-to-size pipes, three long welding cylinders, two short gas cylinders, three shovels, chains, three scissors, three hammers, and one vintage Ridgid tool.
“The suspects and exhibits are currently in custody as investigations continue,” the police statement read.
The command reiterated its commitment to safeguarding national infrastructure and warned that individuals engaging in acts of sabotage would face strict legal consequences.
