Maiduguri Drainage Yields Massive Cache of High-Calibre Ammunition

In a significant victory for intelligence-led security operations, troops of Operation Hadin Kai have intercepted a large cache of high-calibre 12.7mm ammunition hidden within the urban heart of Maiduguri. The discovery, made on Friday afternoon in the Bulumkutu Railway general area, highlights the persistent challenges of urban insurgency and the critical role of community vigilance in the ongoing fight against terrorism in Nigeria’s North-East.

The operation was triggered at approximately 3:00 p.m. following a distress call from alert residents who noticed suspicious metallic objects glinting beneath the murky water of a drainage channel. Recognizing the potential danger, military units collaborated with the Police Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team to cordoned off the area. What they uncovered was a lethal hoard of 1,270 rounds of 12.7mm ammunition warheads, alongside several live rounds and a collection of power banks, all concealed within the waterway.

Confirming the recovery, Lt.-Col. Sani Uba, the Media Information Officer for Operation Hadin Kai, explained that the ammunition found is of a heavy calibre, typically used in anti-aircraft guns and heavy machine guns. Such weaponry is capable of causing devastating damage to both personnel and light-armored vehicles. The presence of these items in a residential drainage system suggests a desperate attempt by remnants of terrorist groups to stockpile hardware for future attacks or to hide them from the military’s intensifying cordon-and-search operations.

The site remained a hive of activity throughout Friday evening as security personnel worked to drain the remaining water from the channel. The military is leaving no stone unturned, suspecting that more dangerous materials could be submerged further down the line. While the situation in Bulumkutu has remained calm, the army has maintained a dominant presence to protect critical infrastructure and prevent any “recovery missions” by insurgent elements who may have been planning to retrieve the cache.

This successful seizure comes on the heels of several high-stakes operations in the region that have seen the neutralization and arrest of suspected suicide bombers. Lt.-Col. Uba noted that the discovery is a direct result of sustained pressure and a growing trust between the military and the local population. By denying criminal elements the “freedom of action” to move or store heavy weaponry, the security forces believe they are significantly degrading the logistics of insurgent cells operating on the fringes of the state capital.

The military has praised the residents of the Bulumkutu Railway area for their bravery in reporting the suspicious objects. This “see something, say something” approach is being hailed as the backbone of recent successes in Maiduguri, where the battle has shifted from open fields to the intricate web of urban neighborhoods. Security experts point out that the recovery of warheads and power banks—often used in the construction of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs)—likely averted a major security breach.

As the North-East enters 2026, the unpredictable nature of the threat remains a reality, but the proactive stance of Operation Hadin Kai offers a semblance of stability. The recovered items have been moved to a secure military facility for further forensic analysis, which may provide clues regarding the origin of the ammunition and the specific cells responsible for the concealment. For now, the drainage channels of Maiduguri are being scrutinized with renewed intensity as the hunt for hidden arsenals continues.

The theater command has reiterated its call for collective responsibility, stressing that the peace currently enjoyed in Borno State is fragile and requires constant monitoring. With the successful removal of over a thousand heavy rounds from the streets, the military has sent a clear message that no hiding place is safe. The general area remains under surveillance, and residents have been urged to continue their daily routines while maintaining a heightened sense of awareness regarding their surroundings.