Kano Police Intercept Tramadol Worth Over N150m, Arrest Two Suspects

By: Zagazola Makama

The Kano State Police Command has intercepted a mini truck carrying six large bales of suspected tramadol tablets concealed beneath bags of cement, with an estimated street value of over N150 million.

Police sources said the seizure was made during a sting operation at Alharini village in the Ungogo Local Government Area.

According to the source, the truck was intercepted while disguised as transporting cement, but a thorough search revealed the concealed drugs.

Two suspects were arrested in connection with the incident. They are Imrana Rabiu, the truck driver from Bene town in Kebbi State, and Muntari Shuaibu of Kofar Gabas in Babura Local Government Area of Jigawa State.

The sources reiterated the command’s commitment to combating drug trafficking and other criminal activities in the state in collaboration with other security agencies.

Kano Police Intercept Tramadol Worth Over N150m, Arrest Two Suspects

The Urgent Need for FG Rehabilitation Damboa Road and Enhanced Military Support To End Insecurity

By: Zagazola Makama

The recent Improvised Explosive Device (IED) attack on the Maiduguri–Damboa road, which tragically resulted in the deaths of eight innocent passengers and left 21 others injured, underscores a critical issue: the deteriorating condition of this vital highway exacerbates the threats posed by insurgents in Borno State. This incident, which occurred near Komala Village, highlights the dangers of traversing this route without military escort and emphasizes the urgent need for the federal government to prioritize the rehabilitation of the road.

The Maiduguri–Damboa road serves as a crucial link between Maiduguri and the southern regions of Borno State and has long been susceptible to terrorist attacks. Its proximity to key insurgent hideouts and heavily forested areas, which serve as operational bases for Boko Haram and ISWAP, makes it a target for these groups. For years, insurgents have strategically planted IEDs along this route, targeting both military convoys and civilian vehicles. The road’s deterioration has further facilitated these deadly attacks.

What was once a one-hour journey now stretches to nearly six hours due to the poor road conditions. Potholes and crumbling infrastructure not only impede travel but also create ideal conditions for insurgents to plant explosives undetected. This situation was tragically illustrated on April 12, when a passenger bus struck an IED along the road, leading to devastating loss of life. Though, they traveled without escort, which even exposed to more danger.

Various security stakeholders been vocal about the road’s deteriorating state. insurgents have exploited its poor condition and with the road which continue to remained in disrepair, it has become a prime target for insurgents seeking to instill fear and disrupt transportation.

The lack of adequate infrastructure in the region poses risks not only to civilians but also to military personnel stationed there. While the Nigerian military continues to combat Boko Haram and ISWAP, it operates under increasingly challenging conditions, with poor road networks complicating troop movement and supply deliveries. The state of the roads significantly impacts the military’s ability to maintain security and conduct essential operations effectively.

In addition to infrastructural challenges, IEDs represent a major threat to military operations. Insurgents have become adept at planting these devices in strategic locations, and the deterioration of roads such as Maiduguri–Damboa enhances their capacity to carry out attacks. The military’s ability to execute operations, particularly in clearing insurgent strongholds, is severely hampered by the persistent threat of IEDs. These explosives pose an existential risk to troops and hinder progress in combating insurgency.

The Nigerian military, while striving to perform under difficult conditions, urgently requires more sophisticated equipment to counter the IED threat. Mines-resistant vehicles (MRVs) and other anti-IED technologies are essential for providing troops with the protection needed during operations. These vehicles are specifically designed to withstand the impact of explosive devices, offering soldiers much-needed security while patrolling volatile regions. With the right equipment, troops would be better positioned to neutralize insurgents, safely clear IEDs, and respond to threats with greater precision.

The federal government must prioritize the acquisition of advanced mines-resistant technologies, such as MRVs, to safeguard the lives of military personnel. In addition to these vehicles, investing in mine detection systems, bomb disposal units, and advanced surveillance technologies will enable the military to conduct operations with greater ease and efficiency. Equipping troops with these tools would significantly enhance their safety, improve operational success, and provide a more effective counter-insurgency strategy in light of the growing IED threat.

Governor Zulum has called for enhanced surveillance and more effective clearance operations to secure the road. He also emphasized the importance of regular route clearance patrols and the use of mine detection vehicles (MDVs) to neutralize threats. The federal government should prioritize the rehabilitation of this vital route, which serves not only as a lifeline for the people of Borno but also as a critical corridor for military operations.

As the situation currently stands, traveling along the Maiduguri–Damboa road without proper security escort remains perilous. Until the road is adequately rehabilitated and consistently monitored, both civilians and military personnel must exercise extreme caution. The journey that once took an hour can now extend to six hours, leaving passengers and military forces exposed to deadly attacks. Urgent action is required to ensure that the road is safe for both the local population and the troops tasked with their protection.

Zagazola Makama is a Counter Insurgency Expert and Security Analyst in the Lake Chad Region

The Urgent Need for FG Rehabilitation Damboa Road and Enhanced Military Support To End Insecurity

Security Operatives Foil Attempted Break-in at Vice President’s Private Residence in Maiduguri, Suspect Arrested

By: Zagazola Makama

Security guards have foil and arrested a 35-year-old man, Musa Ibrahim of Maduganari area, Maiduguri, for attempting to gain unlawful access into the private residence of Sen. Kashim Shettima, the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident occurred on April 9 at about 0530hrs at the residence located in New GRA, Gwange 3 Ward off Bama Road, Maiduguri, the capital of the restive Borno State.

The sources said that the suspect reportedly attempted to scale the perimeter wall through the Gadabul River bank behind the western side of the residence.

On sighting the security personnel, the suspect tried to escape but was shot in the leg and subsequently arrested.

He was immediately taken to the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH), where he is currently receiving treatment and responding.

The case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for discreet investigation.

Meanwhile, security deployment at the residence of the vice President has been reviewed and strengthened.

Security Operatives Foil Attempted Break-in at Vice President’s Private Residence in Maiduguri, Suspect Arrested