Police Arrest Nine Suspects Over Pipeline Vandalism in Taraba

The Taraba State Police Command has announced the arrest of nine suspects in connection with the vandalization of pipelines belonging to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) along the Kona Mountains and Minda axis in Jalingo.

In a statement issued on Monday, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP James Lashen Saminu, said the arrests were made on September 15, 2025, at about 10:13 a.m., following a credible intelligence tip-off.

According to the statement, operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Squad, led by CSP Ayuba Yohanna, swiftly mobilized to the crime scene, where the suspects were allegedly caught in the act of tampering with the pipelines.

The arrested suspects were identified as: Lagne Apollos, 20

·         Isa Aminu, 20

·         Ahmad Aminu, 15

·         Kamal Abubakar, 25

·         Solomon Tanko, 20

·         Simon Mathias, 19

·         Victor Kanu, 26

·         Dogara Patrick, 21

·         Emmanuel Apollos, 20

ASP Saminu disclosed that several incriminating exhibits were recovered during the operation. Items seized included 30 cut-to-size pipes, three long welding cylinders, two short gas cylinders, two shovels, three chains and scissors, three hammers, and a vintage ridgid used for vandalism activities.

He further confirmed that the suspects are currently in custody as investigations continue, assuring residents that the command is committed to protecting critical national infrastructure and will intensify surveillance around oil and gas installations in the state.

ASP Saminu urged the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious movements around public facilities to security agencies, stressing that community cooperation remains vital in the fight against pipeline vandalism and other crimes threatening economic stability.