Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have recovered 1,270 rounds of 12.7mm ammunition warheads, live 12.7mm rounds, and power banks concealed inside a drainage in Bulumkutu area of Maiduguri, Borno State.
The Media Information Officer, Joint Task Force Northeast Operation Hadin Kai, Lt Col Sani Uba disclosed this in a statement on Saturday
According to him, the discovery followed a distress call in Friday about a suspicious metallic objects inside the drainage channel along the Bulumkutu Railway area.
The statement reads “At about 3:00 p.m. on 2 January 2026, troops received a distress call reporting the discovery of suspicious metallic objects inside a drainage channel in the Bulumkutu Railway area. Troops and Police EOD Teams immediately mobilised the location to assess the situation and secure the environment”
“The recovery followed a sustained presence and follow-up actions after a recent cordon-and-search operation, conducted on the basis of actionable intelligence aimed at denying criminal elements freedom of action especially with multiple suicide bombers either neutralised or captured in the last week”
He said, “Upon arrival, a thorough search led to the discovery of 1,270 rounds of 12.7mm ammunition warheads, some live 12.7mm rounds, as well as power banks concealed inside the drainage
He noted that preliminary actions have been taken to secure the site, while efforts are ongoing to drain the water in the channel to determine whether additional dangerous items are present.
“Troops in conjunction with the Police and other security agencies continue to dominate the general area to ensure the safety of residents, protect critical infrastructure, and prevent any attempt by criminal or terrorist elements to recover the items” he said
Uba added that no casualties or unusual incidents were recorded during the operation.
” The general security situation remains calm and vigilance is being maintained in view of the unpredictable nature of the threat environment
“The successful recovery underscores the importance of intelligence-led operations, community cooperation, and sustained military pressure following cordon-and-search activities. It also highlights the crucial role of timely information from the public in preventing potential harm” the statement said
Sani further said that the the headquarters OPHK urged members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious items or movements to security agencies, adding that collective responsibility remains key to sustaining peace and security in the North East.