By Chimezie Godfrey
Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have recovered a large cache of high-calibre 12.7mm ammunition warheads in the Bulumkutu Railway area of Maiduguri, Borno State, in what military authorities described as a major boost to ongoing counter-terrorism operations in the North-East.
The discovery followed sustained intelligence-driven operations and follow-up actions after recent cordon-and-search exercises aimed at denying terrorists and criminal elements freedom of action in the area.
According to the military, the recovery came at a critical time, barely days after multiple suicide bombers were neutralised or apprehended across parts of Maiduguri and its environs.
Providing details of the operation, the Media Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North-East), Operation HADIN KAI, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, said troops acted swiftly after receiving actionable intelligence.
“At about 3:00 p.m. on 2 January 2026, troops of Operation HADIN KAI received a distress call on the discovery of suspicious metallic objects concealed within a drainage channel at Bulumkutu Railway area,” Uba stated.
He explained that troops, working alongside Police Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) teams, immediately mobilised to secure the location and assess the potential threat to residents.
“A thorough search led to the recovery of 1,270 rounds of 12.7mm ammunition warheads, including live rounds, as well as power banks concealed inside the drainage channel,” the military spokesman disclosed.
Uba noted that preliminary safety measures were immediately put in place, while efforts were ongoing to drain the channel to ascertain if additional dangerous items were hidden in the area.
He added that troops, in collaboration with the Police and other security agencies, continue to dominate the general area to prevent any attempt by terrorists to retrieve the recovered items.
“No casualty or untoward incident was recorded during the operation, and the general security situation in the area remains calm,” Uba said.
The military described the operation as a clear demonstration of the effectiveness of sustained military pressure and community cooperation in neutralising threats before they materialise.
Uba urged residents to remain vigilant and continue to report suspicious movements or objects, stressing that “collective responsibility remains vital to sustaining peace and security in the North-East.”