The Borno State Police Command has rescued 11 minors, all under the age of 16, during a raid on a suspected black spot in the Pawari Forestry area of Maiduguri in the early hours of Thursday, October 30, 2025.
According to a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Dungus Abdulkarim, operatives from the A Division Police Headquarters, Damaturu, conducted the operation around 4:50 a.m. following intelligence reports of criminal activities and substance abuse at the location.
During the raid, several harmful and illicit liquid substances were recovered from the scene. Upon interrogation, the minors reportedly confessed to engaging in pickpocketing and mobile phone theft within major markets and other crowded public places in Maiduguri.
The statement listed the names and addresses of the rescued minors, urging their parents and guardians to visit A Division Police Headquarters immediately for proper identification and documentation before their release.
SP Abdulkarim also issued a strong advisory to parents, urging them to closely monitor their children’s movements and ensure they are engaged in meaningful activities such as schooling, skills acquisition, or sports.
“Do not allow minors to stay out late or roam the streets at night unmonitored. A child guided today becomes a responsible adult tomorrow,” the PPRO said.
The police assured that efforts are ongoing to trace and dismantle networks involved in the exploitation and recruitment of minors for criminal purposes in the state.
