The recovery followed sustained troop presence and follow-up actions arising from a recent cordon-and-search operation aimed at denying criminal and terrorist elements freedom of action, particularly in the wake of several suicide bombers neutralised or apprehended within the past week.
In a statement signed on Saturday by the Media Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North-East), Operation HADIN KAI, Lieutenant Colonel Sani Uba, troops received a distress call at about 3:00 p.m. on January 2, 2026, reporting the discovery of suspicious metallic objects concealed in a drainage channel in the Bulumkutu Railway general area.
Troops, in collaboration with the Police Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team, immediately mobilised to the scene to secure the area and assess the threat. A detailed search led to the recovery of 1,270 rounds of 12.7mm ammunition warheads, including some live rounds, as well as power banks hidden inside the drainage channel.
Preliminary safety measures were promptly implemented to secure the site, while efforts are ongoing to drain the channel to ascertain whether additional dangerous items are present. Troops, working alongside the Police and other security agencies, continue to dominate the area to ensure the safety of residents, protect critical infrastructure and prevent any attempt by criminal or terrorist elements to retrieve the recovered items.
No casualties or untoward incidents were recorded during the operation. The security situation in the area remains calm, with troops maintaining heightened vigilance in view of the dynamic threat environment.
The statement noted that the successful recovery underscores the importance of intelligence-driven operations, sustained military pressure and community cooperation in preventing potential security threats. It also highlighted the critical role of timely information from members of the public in enhancing collective security.
Operation HADIN KAI urged residents to remain vigilant and to promptly report suspicious items or movements to security agencies, stressing that collective responsibility remains vital to sustaining peace and security in the North-East.
