Police in northeastern Nigeria’s Borno State have arrested a 22-year-old woman for allegedly attempting to smuggle a large quantity of the opioid tramadol, concealed inside a sack of ground maize. This incident highlights ongoing issues related to Tramadol Smuggling in the region.
State Police Commissioner Naziru Abdulmajid disclosed the arrest in a statement issued on Saturday, January 25, 2026. The operation, he said, was based on a “credible intelligence tip-off.”
The growing trend of Tramadol Smuggling has raised significant concerns among law enforcement agencies.
“On 20th January 2026, at about 1930hrs, following a credible intelligence tip-off, operatives of the Command attached to the State Intelligence Department (SID) intercepted and apprehended a 22 year-old female suspect at Baga Road Motor Park, Maiduguri,” the statement read.
The suspect was reportedly found with a black sack containing the ground maize, locally called garri-masara.
Police said 89 sachets of tramadol capsules were hidden inside the foodstuff.
“The suspect was found in possession of a black sack containing grounded maize (garri-masara), within which were concealed eighty nine (89) sachets of tramadol capsules,” the official statement confirmed.
Commissioner Abdulmajid added that a “preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect was given the black sack by her uncle to waybill the illicit consignment to Damasak Local Government Area before her interception, and that it was the second time she was carrying out such an assignment.”
The suspect and the seized drugs are now in police custody. Authorities stated that “concerted efforts are ongoing to arrest the said accomplice.”
In his statement, Abdulmajid reiterated the police command’s “commitment to combating drug trafficking, substance abuse, and other criminal activities in the state.” He urged the public “to continue supporting the police with timely and credible information to enhance security.”
