Troops involved in Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) have seized a significant stockpile of high-calibre ammunition in the Bulumkutu Railway area of Maiduguri, highlighting the effectiveness of sustained, intelligence-driven security operations across Nigeria’s North East.
The discovery followed persistent troop patrols and follow-up actions after a recent cordon-and-search mission, aimed at restricting the movement of criminal and terrorist elements, particularly in the wake of multiple suicide bombers neutralised or apprehended over the past week.
A statement from Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, Media Information Officer at the Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, said the cache was found around 3:00 pm on 2 January 2026 after a distress call reported suspicious metallic objects hidden in a drainage channel in the Bulumkutu Railway vicinity.
“Troops of OPHK, working alongside Police Explosive Ordnance Disposal teams, immediately secured the area and conducted a detailed assessment of the threat,” the statement said. The operation led to the recovery of 1,270 rounds of 12.7mm ammunition, including live rounds, as well as power banks concealed in the drainage channel.
Preliminary safety measures were promptly implemented while security personnel continue efforts to drain the channel to check for additional hazardous materials. Troops, in collaboration with the Police and other security agencies, are maintaining a strong presence in the area to safeguard residents, protect vital infrastructure, and prevent any attempt by criminals or terrorists to reclaim the recovered items.
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No casualties or incidents were reported during the operation, and the overall security situation in the area remains stable, with forces on high alert given the evolving threat environment.
The statement stressed that the operation “underscores the importance of intelligence-led operations, sustained military pressure and community cooperation in preventing potential threats,” and emphasised that timely information from the public remains critical to enhancing collective security.
Residents were urged to remain vigilant and immediately report any suspicious items or activity to security agencies, as “collective responsibility remains vital to sustaining peace and security across the North East.”
