The Borno State Police Command has arrested a 22-year-old woman for allegedly attempting to smuggle tramadol concealed in a sack of grounded maize at the Baga Road Motor Park in Maiduguri.
The Commissioner of Police, Mr Naziru Abdulmajid, disclosed this in a statement issued on Saturday and signed by the command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Nahum Kenneth Daso.
According to the statement, operatives attached to the State Intelligence Department intercepted the suspect on January 20, 2026, at about 7:30 p.m., following credible intelligence.
“The suspect was intercepted and apprehended at Baga Road Motor Park, Maiduguri, while in possession of a black sack containing grounded maize, locally known as garri-masara,” the statement read.
Police said a search of the sack revealed 89 sachets of tramadol capsules carefully concealed within the food item.
Preliminary investigations showed that the suspect was allegedly acting on the instructions of her uncle, who reportedly gave her the sack to waybill the illicit drugs to Damasak Local Government Area of the state.
The police added that it was the second time the woman was carrying out such an assignment.
“The suspect and the recovered exhibits are currently in custody and undergoing thorough investigation, while efforts are ongoing to arrest the accomplice,” the statement said.
The commissioner reiterated the command’s commitment to combating drug trafficking, substance abuse and other criminal activities across Borno State, urging residents to continue to provide timely and credible information to support police operations.
Tramadol abuse remains a major public health and security concern in the North-East, with security agencies intensifying efforts to disrupt trafficking networks in the region.
