Police Recover 41 Phones, Suspected Drugs Worth N6.5m in Borno

The Borno State Police Command says it has recovered 41 mobile phones and large quantities of suspected illicit drugs valued at about N6.5 million in separate intelligence-led operations in Maiduguri.

The Command said the operations were carried out by operatives of its Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), also known as the Crack Squad, as part of efforts to tackle crime and criminality in the state.

According to a statement issued on Wednesday by the Command’s Police Public Relations Officer, Nahum Kenneth Daso, two suspects were arrested on August 30, 2026, at Baga Road Motor Park, Maiduguri, while allegedly attempting to transport suspected illicit drugs to Baga Local Government Area.

The suspects were intercepted with 48 sachets of Tramadol and four blocks of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp, with an estimated value of N550,000.

The police said the suspects and exhibits were currently under investigation, after which they would be charged to court.

In another operation, the Crack Squad on June 18, 2026, raided an abandoned building in the Ngaranam area of Maiduguri based on credible intelligence.

Although no suspect was found at the scene, the operatives recovered 124 blocks of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp, valued at about N6 million.

The Command said efforts were ongoing to apprehend the suspect linked to the drugs.

Meanwhile, police operatives recovered 41 mobile phones following an investigation into the theft of two phones.

The investigation began after a complaint was received over a missing Samsung mobile phone and an iPhone.

The police said the investigation led detectives to the residence of one Baba Isa Yerima in the Kwanan Yobe area of Maiduguri on August 30.

A search of the residence allegedly led to the recovery of the two reported missing phones and 39 others, bringing the total number of recovered phones to 41, with an estimated value of N25 million.

“During preliminary investigation, the suspect allegedly confessed to having stolen the mobile phones at different locations,” the statement said.

The suspect remains in police custody while investigations continue to identify and arrest other alleged accomplices.

The Borno Police Command said individuals who believe their phones may be among those recovered should approach the Command with valid proof of ownership.

The Command also reiterated its commitment to protecting lives and property, urging residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to the police or other security agencies.

It said “intelligence-led policing, sustained patrols, proactive investigations and collaboration with communities” would continue to be strengthened to improve security across the state.