Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have recovered a large cache of ammunition concealed inside a drainage channel in the Bulumkutu area of Maiduguri, Borno State.
The items recovered include 1,270 rounds of 12.7mm ammunition warheads, live 12.7mm rounds and power banks.
The discovery was confirmed in a statement issued on Saturday by the Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force, North East, Operation Hadin Kai, Lt Col Sani Uba.
According to him, the recovery followed a distress call received on Friday about suspicious metallic objects inside a drainage channel along the Bulumkutu Railway area.
“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 to the location to assess the situation and secure the environment,” the statement read.
Uba said the recovery was part of sustained follow-up actions after a recent cordon-and-search operation based on actionable intelligence.
“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.
He added that a thorough search of the area led to the discovery of the concealed items inside the drainage.
“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,” Uba stated.
The Army spokesman said preliminary steps had been taken to secure the area, while efforts were ongoing to drain the water in the channel to confirm whether more dangerous items were hidden there.
“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 disclosed that no casualties or unusual incidents were recorded during the operation, adding that security agencies remained on high alert.
“The general security situation remains calm and vigilance is being maintained in view of the unpredictable nature of the threat environment,” he said.
He noted that the operation highlighted the importance of intelligence-led actions and community cooperation in preventing attacks.
“The successful recovery underscores the importance of intelligence-led operations, community cooperation, and sustained military pressure. It also highlights the crucial role of timely information from the public in preventing potential harm,” the statement added.
Uba further urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious movements or objects to security agencies, stressing that collective responsibility remained key to sustaining peace and security in the North-East.
