Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have recovered 1,270 rounds of 12.7mm ammunition hidden in a drainage in Maiduguri.
In a significant breakthrough for counter-terrorism efforts in the Northeast, troops of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) have uncovered a massive cache of high-calibre ammunition hidden within the Maiduguri metropolis.
The recovery, which took place on Friday, January 2, 2026, was the result of an intelligence-led operation in the Bulumkutu Railway general area.
Acting on precise tips, the military discovered 1,270 rounds of 12.7mm ammunition warheads, along with live rounds and several power banks, all concealed inside a local drainage system.
Lt. Col. Sani Uba, the Media Information Officer for OPHK, confirmed the recovery in a statement on Saturday.
He noted that the concealment of such high-calibre ammunition typically used for anti-aircraft guns and heavy machine guns, suggests a foiled attempt by insurgents to replenish their dwindling supplies.
"Preliminary actions have been taken to secure the site, while efforts are ongoing to drain the water in the channel to determine whether additional dangerous items are present," Uba stated.
He emphasized that the area remains under heavy surveillance by the military and police to prevent any attempts by remnants of the terror cells to retrieve the items.
The discovery comes at a critical time as the military intensifies its crackdown following the Christmas Eve suicide bombing at the Gamboru Market Mosque.
Earlier today, the Army identified Shariff Umar as the principal coordinator of the suicide bombing network in the region. Investigations revealed that Umar was the mastermind who recruited and dispatched the bomber to the mosque.
The arrest of several suspects linked to this cell provided the intelligence that eventually led troops to the ammunition cache in Bulumkutu.
Despite the recent incidents, the military has assured residents of Maiduguri that the security situation remains calm.
The Army urged citizens to remain vigilant and continue providing credible information to help dismantle the operational linkages of terror cells.
The 12.7mm rounds are a strategic find; their removal from the hands of insurgents significantly weakens the firepower available to Boko Haram and ISWAP factions operating within the Borno State axis.
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