Police arrest drug dealer, rescue 14-year-old courier in Bauchi

The arrested suspect. Photo: Bauchi State Police Command.

The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested a convicted drug dealer and rescued a 14-year-old boy allegedly used as a courier to deliver illicit drugs in the state.

The command said the arrest followed an operation by operatives of its Violent Crimes Response Unit during a routine patrol, leading to the recovery of suspected methamphetamine and other controlled substances.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Nafiu Habib, disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday.

Habib explained that the operatives, led by the Officer-in-Charge of the unit, intercepted the minor, identified as Samuel Nkemakolan Kosi, at about 11 am on October 26, 2026, while he was allegedly on his way to deliver a granular whitish substance suspected to be methamphetamine, also known as Ice, to a customer.

According to the statement, the minor confessed during interrogation that he had been sent by a 22-year-old convicted drug dealer, Samuel Ogochukwu, to make the delivery.

“Upon interrogation, the minor confessed that he was sent by one Samuel Ogochukwu, 22 years old, a convicted drug dealer, to make the delivery,” the statement read.

Habib added that detectives subsequently traced and arrested Ogochukwu at his location.

“Sequel to this, detectives immediately traced and arrested the said Samuel Ogochukwu at his location,” the statement read.

The police spokesman said a thorough search of the suspect’s shop and residence led to the recovery of 3.5 grammes of a substance suspected to be methamphetamine, 17 sachets of 100mg tramadol capsules, five sachets of 300mg pregabalin capsules and seven sachets of diazepam.

Other items recovered included 12 Exol tablets, two wraps of a substance known as Yellow Boys and one sachet of Shine Shine Leather.

Habib further disclosed that the principal suspect told investigators that he received supplies of illicit drugs through waybills from Onitsha, Anambra State.

He said the 14-year-old boy had been handled in line with juvenile best practices and would be reunited with his family after counselling.

“The 14-year-old minor has been handled in line with juvenile best practices and will be reunited with his family after counselling, while the principal suspect will be charged to court upon completion of investigation,” the statement added.

The PPRO said the Commissioner of Police, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, commended the VCRU operatives for their consistency, doggedness and result-oriented policing.

He added that the Commissioner said four major drug busts and subsequent convictions recorded within 10 days served as a strong warning to criminal elements.

“He assures the public that the command will sustain the tempo against drug trafficking and all forms of criminality in the state,” the statement added.