The Borno State Police Command said it arrested three suspects with 20 bags of a banned material used in the fabrication of Improvised Explosive Devices known as Urea.
The command in a statement by its Public Relations Officer, Kenneth Daso, on Thursday, said the suspects, Samsudeen Rabiu, Mallam Yau and Ibrahim Sani, were arrested along the Tashan Journey area of Maiduguri, the state capital.
Dado noted that the contraband was concealed in a fertiliser bag and transported in a tricycle.
He said, “On May 13, 2025, at about 1130 hrs, the unit intercepted three suspects in possession of 20 bags of the banned commodity ‘Urea’.
“The suspects, Samsudeen Rabiu, 35 years old; Mallam Yau, 29 years old; and Ibrahim Mohammed Sani, 30 years old, were apprehended at the Tashan Journey area, Maiduguri. The Urea was concealed in an NPK fertiliser sack and transported via a tricycle with Reg No. GZA 17 VH Borno.
“The commodity ‘Urea’ has been banned in several states, including Borno, due to its potential misuse in the fabrication of Improvised Explosive Devices and other associated security risks.”
He stressed further that an investigation has commenced into the arrest while assuring of the command’s commitment to the safety of lives and properties.
“The suspects alongside the confiscated Urea are in custody while a discreet investigation is underway.
“The command remains steadfast in its commitment to the safety and security of the people of Borno State and urges members of the public to refrain from dealing with banned substances,” Daso concluded.
PUNCH Metro reports a similar incident on January 3 when police operatives in Borno State recovered three projectile explosives concealed inside a sack and dumped in the Dala Kafanti Area of Maiduguri, the state capital.
According to Daso, a resident of the community had alerted the police operatives in the area to the presence of a suspicious sack within the premises of his house.
The PPRO noted that upon receipt of the information, police operatives visited the area and recovered the explosives which were concealed in a sack.
