By SUNTV Global Channel | January 3, 2026
Troops of the Nigerian Army under Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) have recorded another major operational success with the recovery of a large cache of high-calibre ammunition in Bulumkutu Railway general area of Maiduguri, Borno State, further underscoring the effectiveness of sustained counterterrorism operations in the North-East.
According to a statement issued by the Media Information Officer of the Joint Task Force North East, Operation Hadin Kai, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, the recovery was a direct outcome of continued troop presence and intensive follow-up actions after a recent intelligence-led cordon-and-search operation in the area.
The statement revealed that the military has maintained heightened surveillance and clearance operations following credible intelligence reports, which in the past week led to the neutralisation and arrest of several suspected suicide bombers within Maiduguri metropolis and surrounding communities.
Lieutenant Colonel Uba disclosed that at about 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 2, 2026, troops received a distress call from residents alerting security forces to the presence of suspicious metallic objects concealed inside a drainage channel along the Bulumkutu Railway axis.
Upon swift response and careful search of the area, troops uncovered a huge stockpile of 1,270 rounds of 12.7mm ammunition warheads, including several live 12.7mm rounds, along with power banks believed to be intended for use in improvised explosive devices (IEDs) or other terror-related logistics. The items had been deliberately hidden inside the drainage to evade detection.
Military sources described the recovery as significant, noting that 12.7mm ammunition is a high-calibre round capable of inflicting massive damage and commonly associated with heavy weapons and terrorist attacks on both military targets and civilian locations.
Importantly, no casualties or unusual incidents were recorded during the operation, as troops handled the situation with professionalism and caution, ensuring the safety of nearby residents throughout the exercise.
The Joint Task Force confirmed that the general security situation in Maiduguri remains calm, while assuring the public that troops are maintaining maximum vigilance in view of the unpredictable and evolving threat environment posed by remnants of terrorist elements still seeking opportunities to strike.
The Headquarters of Operation Hadin Kai once again commended members of the public for their timely report, stressing that community cooperation remains a critical component of ongoing efforts to dismantle terror networks and prevent attacks.
“Members of the public are urged to remain vigilant and promptly report any suspicious movements, items, or persons to the nearest security agency,” the statement read. “Security is a collective responsibility, and sustained peace in the North East depends on continuous collaboration between civilians and security forces.”
SUNTV Global Channel reports that the latest recovery adds to a growing list of recent operational successes by troops of Operation Hadin Kai, as the Nigerian military continues to tighten the noose around insurgent and terrorist cells, degrade their logistics, and restore lasting peace and stability across the North-East region.
