By Nkechi Eze
Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have uncovered a large cache of high-calibre 12.7mm ammunition in the Bulumkutu Railway general area of Maiduguri, Borno State, in what military authorities describe as another significant outcome of sustained, intelligence-driven security operations across the North-East theatre.
The discovery, which followed weeks of continuous troop presence and follow-up actions after a recent cordon-and-search operation, further underscores the Nigerian military’s determination to deny criminal and terrorist elements freedom of action, particularly in the wake of multiple suicide bombers that were neutralised or apprehended within the past week.
Disclosing the development in an official signed statement, the Media Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North-East), Operation HADIN KAI, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, said the recovery was made possible through actionable intelligence and the vigilance of both troops and members of the public.
According to him, at about 3:00 p.m. on 2 January 2026, troops of Operation HADIN KAI received a distress call reporting the sighting of suspicious metallic objects concealed within a drainage channel in the Bulumkutu Railway area. Acting swiftly on the report, troops immediately mobilised to the location alongside personnel of the Police Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit to secure the environment and assess the potential threat.
“A thorough search of the area led to the recovery of a total of 1,270 rounds of 12.7mm ammunition warheads, including some live 12.7mm rounds, as well as power banks, all concealed inside the drainage channel,” Lieutenant Colonel Uba stated.
He explained that preliminary safety measures were promptly taken to secure the site, while efforts are ongoing to completely drain the drainage channel in order to determine whether additional dangerous items may be hidden within the area. Troops, working closely with the Police and other security agencies, continue to dominate the general area to prevent any attempt by criminal or terrorist elements to retrieve the recovered items.
Lieutenant Colonel Uba confirmed that no casualties or untoward incidents were recorded during the operation, adding that the general security situation in the area remains calm, with troops maintaining heightened vigilance in view of the evolving and dynamic threat environment in the North-East.
He noted that the successful recovery of the ammunition cache once again highlights the effectiveness of intelligence-led operations, sustained military pressure on hostile elements, and the invaluable role of community cooperation in preventing potential threats before they materialise.
“The timely information provided by members of the public was critical to the success of this operation,” he said, stressing that collective security remains a shared responsibility.
The Headquarters of Operation HADIN KAI therefore urged residents of the North-East to remain vigilant and to promptly report any suspicious items, objects, or movements to security agencies, as continued cooperation between the military and the civilian population remains vital to sustaining peace, protecting lives and property, and consolidating the gains recorded in the ongoing counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency efforts across the region.
