Odita Sunday 
Borno Police Recover 41 Phones Worth ₦25m, Seize Suspected Indian Hemp, Tramadol
By Odita Sunday
The Borno State Police Command has recovered 41 mobile phones valued at about ₦25 million and seized a large quantity of suspected Indian hemp and Tramadol in separate intelligence-led operations in Maiduguri.
The operations, carried out by operatives of the Command’s Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), also known as the Crack Squad, resulted in the arrest of three suspects in connection with the recoveries.
In one of the operations, ASP Nahum Kenneth Daso, Police Public Relations Officer Borno State Command said a complaint over missing Samsung and iPhone devices led investigators to track the phones to the residence of one Baba Isa Yerima in the Kwanan Yobe area of Maiduguri on August 30, 2026.
A search of the residence allegedly led to the recovery of 39 additional mobile phones, bringing the total number of recovered phones to 41, with an estimated value of approximately ₦25 million.
The police said preliminary investigation showed that the suspect allegedly confessed to stealing the phones from different locations.
The suspect remains in custody as investigation continues to identify and arrest other alleged accomplices, after which the case will be charged to court.
In a separate operation the same day, operatives of the Crack Squad arrested two suspects at the Baga Road Motor Park area of Maiduguri while allegedly attempting to waybill suspected illicit drugs to Baga Local Government Area.
Police said 48 sachets of Tramadol and four blocks of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp, valued at about ₦550,000, were recovered from the suspects.
The two suspects and the exhibits are currently under investigation, according to the Command.
Earlier, on June 18, 2026, operatives of the unit had raided an abandoned building in the Ngaranam area of Maiduguri following credible intelligence.
Although no suspect was found at the location, police said 124 blocks of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp, valued at about ₦6 million, were recovered.
The Command said efforts were ongoing to apprehend the suspect linked to the abandoned consignment.
The Commissioner of Police, Borno State Command, CP Naziru Abdulmajid psc, reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to protecting lives and property and maintaining public safety across the state.
The Command urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities to the police and other security agencies.
It also appealed to members of the public who may have lost their mobile phones to approach the Borno State Police Command with valid proof of ownership to ascertain whether their devices are among those recovered.
The Command said it would continue to strengthen intelligence-led policing, sustained patrols, proactive investigations and community collaboration in its efforts to improve security across Borno State.
About the Author
