PICTORIAL: Troops Recover 12.7mm Ammunition In Borno Drainage

Troops of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) have uncovered a large cache of high-calibre ammunition in the Bulumkutu Railway general area of Maiduguri, Borno State capital, further reinforcing the effectiveness of ongoing intelligence-driven security operations across the North-East theatre.

The recovery followed sustained troops presence and follow-up actions after a recent cordon-and-search operation based on actionable intelligence aimed at denying criminal and terrorist elements freedom of action, particularly in the aftermath of multiple suicide bombers neutralised or apprehended within the past week.

A statement issued by the media information officer, OPHK, Lt. Col. Sani Uba, on Saturday, in Maiduguri, said at about 3:00 p.m. on Friday, January 2, 2026, troops of OPHK received a distress call reporting the discovery of suspicious metallic objects concealed within a drainage channel in the Bulumkutu Railway area.

He said troops, alongside a Police Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team, immediately mobilised to the location to secure the environment and assess the threat.

Uba said a thorough search of the area 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 inside the drainage channel.

The statement added that preliminary safety measures were promptly taken to secure the site, while efforts were ongoing to drain the channel to determine the presence of any additional dangerous items, saying that troops, in collaboration with the Police and other security agencies, continued to dominate the general area to ensure the safety of residents, protect critical infrastructure, and prevent any attempt by criminal or terrorist elements to retrieve the recovered items.

The media information officer added that no casualties or untoward incidents were recorded during the operation and that the general security situation in the area remained calm, with troops maintaining heightened vigilance in view of the dynamic threat environment.

Uba noted that the successful recovery underscored the importance of intelligence-led operations, sustained military pressure, and community cooperation in preventing potential threats.

“It also highlights the critical role of timely information from members of the public in enhancing collective security.

“Headquarters Operation Hadin Kai once again urges residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious items or movements to security agencies, as collective responsibility remains vital to sustaining peace and security in the North-East,” the statement further added.