Maiduguri, the capital of Borno state, has been the scene of months of attacks by Boko Haram, whose name roughly translated from the local Hausa language is “Western education is sinful.” Most attacks target the police and other authority figures but this is the first strike reported at a policeman’s home.

In another development, the anti-drug agency arrested in Lagos a suspect who tried to export cocaine to London and allegedly has links to drug cartels in Europe.

The National Drug Law Enfocement Agency said that it was trying to identify the accomplice of Ofodili Ifeanyichukwu Victor, 47, who was arrested while trying to export cocaine to the British capital.

He was nabbed at the Lagos airport during the screening of passengers on a British Airways flight to London Heathrow airport, the NDLEA said.

“He is alleged to have financed several drug trafficking deals with links to drug cartels in Europe. Narcotic investigators have commenced work on his case and will collaborate with other countries to identify his foreign accomplice,” it stated.

“Preliminary investigation reveals that the suspect is a frequent traveler with multiple entries into the United Kingdom and United States.”

The Nigerian robust-looking suspect, whose picture was provided by the agency, excreted some 70 capsules of powdery substances weighing 1.3 kilograms which tested positive to cocaine, it said.

“This arrest is remarkable given the profile of the suspect,” NDLEA Chief Executive Ahmadu Giade said in the statement.

The drug agency has classified every route as high risk, and “every passenger is assumed a potential drug trafficker,” he said.