Troops Bust Drug Dens in Pulka, Gwoza, Arrest Five Suspected Peddlers
By Zagazola Makama
Troops of the Nigerian military under Operation HADIN KAI have arrested five suspected drug peddlers during separate anti-drug raids in Pulka and Gwoza, recovering large quantities of cannabis, controlled substances and cash.
Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the operations were conducted by troops of the 192 Battalion (Motorised), Forward Operating Base (FOB) Pulka, and the 26 Task Force Brigade Garrison as part of ongoing efforts to dismantle criminal networks and curb the illicit drug trade in Borno State.
According to the sources, troops of the 192 Battalion arrested three suspects—Bamadu Grama, 25; Usman Usman, 28; and Bana Buba, 30—during a raid carried out at about 4:00 p.m. on July 2 in Pulka.
Items recovered from the suspects included 151 wraps of cannabis, two sacks of cannabis, three bottles of a substance locally known as “Suck and Die,” one bottle of cough expectorant, three packs of Tramadol tablets, one Itel phone, one Tecno phone, one pack of “Orisk,” 39 white tablets believed to be illicit drugs, and ₦20,000 in cash.
In a related operation conducted at about 9:45 p.m. on July 3, troops of the 26 Task Force Brigade Garrison raided a suspected drug supply point in Gwoza, leading to the arrest of two additional suspects identified as Akawu Adamu, 52, and Abba Yuguda, 37.
The raid yielded 114 wraps of cannabis, one bottle of cough syrup, one bottle of “Suck and Die,” a sack containing “Captain Black,” a sack of cannabis seeds, one MP3 player, one Itel mobile phone, 34 wraps of “Arizona,” 44 wraps of “Captain Black,” and ₦64,700 in cash.
The suspects are currently in the custody of the 26 Task Force Brigade Garrison and are expected to face further investigation.
Security sources said the operations form part of sustained efforts by Operation HADIN KAI to disrupt the supply of illicit drugs, which are often linked to criminality and insurgent activities in parts of the North-East.
They added that troops would continue to target drug trafficking networks and other criminal enterprises that threaten security and public safety in the theatre of operations.
