Police Arrest Cameroonian, Nigerian Accomplice With 197 Sachets of Tramadol in Adamawa

Operatives of the Adamawa State Police Command have arrested two suspected drug traffickers, including a Cameroonian national, for allegedly transporting 197 sachets of tramadol across the Nigeria-Cameroon border.

The suspects were identified as Muhammad Mustapha, aged 32, from Dorayi in Kano State, and Muhammad Sanusi, aged 48, from Garoua in the Republic of Cameroon.

According to a statement issued by the command's Public Relations Officer, SP Suleiman Yahaya Nguroje, the arrest was made by operatives of the Border Patrol Unit stationed at Fufore during a routine operation.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the illicit substances were transported from a South-Eastern state and were being conveyed through Adamawa State with the intention of smuggling them into Cameroon before the operatives intercepted them.

'In its ongoing fight against drug trafficking and trans-border crimes, the Adamawa State Police Command has recorded a significant breakthrough with the arrest of two suspects found in possession of 197 sachets of tramadol,' Nguroje stated.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Dankombo Morris, has commended the Border Patrol Unit for its vigilance and professionalism in intercepting the suspects. He has directed the command's Monitoring Unit to take over the case for thorough investigation and further necessary action.

The police command reiterated its commitment to combating drug-related crimes and other illicit activities within the state, stating that it remains resolute in its efforts to rid Adamawa of criminal elements.

Tramadol, a prescription painkiller, has become one of the most abused substances in Nigeria and across West Africa. Its illegal trade has fueled concerns about rising drug abuse rates, particularly among young people. The cross-border nature of this particular seizure highlights the regional dimension of the drug trafficking challenge facing Nigerian security agencies.

The arrest comes amid ongoing efforts by the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies to clamp down on drug trafficking networks operating across the country's borders. Similar operations have recently been conducted in other states, including Edo and Kano, resulting in multiple arrests and seizures of illicit substances.