Troops recover cache of 12.7mm ammunition in Maiduguri
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) have recovered a large cache of high-calibre 12.7mm ammunition in the Bulumkutu Railway general area of Maiduguri, Borno State.
Sources said that the recovery followed sustained, intelligence-led security operations and follow-up actions after recent cordon-and-search activities aimed at denying criminal and terrorist elements freedom of action.
Military sources said the discovery was made at about 3:00 p.m. on Friday, following a distress call by residents who reported suspicious metallic objects inside a drainage channel in the area.
Troops, alongside Police Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) teams, immediately mobilised to the location to secure the environment and assess the situation.
A thorough search of the drainage channel led to the recovery of 1,270 rounds of 12.7mm ammunition warheads, including some live 12.7mm rounds, as well as power banks concealed within the channel.
Preliminary measures were taken to secure the site, while efforts were ongoing to drain water from the channel to determine whether additional dangerous items were hidden in the area.
Security sources said troops, in collaboration with the police and other security agencies, had continued to dominate the general area to safeguard residents, protect critical infrastructure and prevent any attempt by criminal or terrorist elements to retrieve the recovered items.
No casualties or unusual incidents were recorded during the operation, and the security situation in the area was described as calm, though vigilance remained high.
The recovery, according to OPHK, underscores the effectiveness of intelligence-driven operations, sustained military pressure and community cooperation, particularly in the aftermath of recent operations in which several suspected suicide bombers were neutralised or arrested.
The military again urged members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious items or movements to security agencies, stressing that community support remained critical to sustaining peace and security in the North-East.
