Crackdown in Maiduguri: Police Arrest Eight, Seize Illicit Drugs in Renewed War Against Substance Abuse

Crackdown in Maiduguri: Police Arrest Eight, Seize Illicit Drugs in Renewed War Against Substance Abuse

By Tada Jutha, Maiduguri

As concerns continue to grow over the impact of drug abuse on youth and community safety in Borno State, the police have intensified efforts to dismantle networks involved in the distribution and consumption of illicit substances.

In a fresh operation targeting criminal activities linked to substance abuse, the Borno State Police Command arrested eight suspects and recovered various prohibited drugs during coordinated raids in parts of Maiduguri, the state capital.

The Rapid Response Squad (RRS) Anti-Social Vices Unit carried out the operation as part of an ongoing campaign by the command to tackle drug-related crimes and other social vices across the state.

According to the police, the exercise was conducted in compliance with directives issued by the Commissioner of Police, Naziru Abdulmajid, who has ordered intensified actions against drug trafficking, abuse and criminal activities associated with narcotics.

Speaking about the development, the spokesperson for the command, ASP Nahum Daso, said the latest arrests demonstrate the police’s determination to rid communities of activities that threaten public safety.

“The operatives of the command’s Rapid Response Squad (RRS) Anti-Social Vices Unit have recorded another significant success,” Mr Daso said in a statement issued in Maiduguri.

He disclosed that on 1 June 2026, at about 2:20 p.m., officers carried out a targeted raid in the Bulumkutu and Dala communities within the Maiduguri Metropolitan Council.

“The RRS Anti-Social Vices Team conducted a targeted raid operation in the Bulumkutu and Dala areas of Maiduguri Metropolitan Council, which led to the arrest of eight suspects for alleged possession and consumption of prohibited substances,” he stated.

The police spokesman said a search conducted during the operation resulted in the recovery of several suspected illicit drugs and controlled substances.

Among the items recovered were 46 capsules of Tramadol, 12 wraps of dried leaves suspected to be cannabis, commonly known as Indian hemp, and two D5 tablets.

Security experts have repeatedly warned that the abuse of hard drugs and controlled substances is a major contributor to violent crimes, juvenile delinquency, and other forms of insecurity in many communities.

Mr Daso noted that the suspects have already been arraigned in court, while the recovered substances have been submitted as exhibits to support prosecution.

The latest arrests underscore the Borno State Police Command’s broader strategy of combining intelligence-led operations with community engagement to curb the spread of illicit drugs.

The command also appealed to residents to remain vigilant and support law enforcement agencies by providing credible information that could assist in identifying criminal hideouts and drug distribution networks.

Reaffirming their commitment to public safety, the police say they will continue to target individuals and groups involved in drug-related offences and other criminal activities throughout the state.

Residents with useful information were encouraged to contact the police through the command’s emergency lines as authorities sustain the campaign against substance abuse and criminality in Borno.