Maiduguri, Nigeria – January 5, 2026
In a significant boost to security efforts in Nigeria's troubled North-East region, the Borno State Police Command announced the recovery of a hidden cache containing 912 rounds of B32 API-type ammunition (7.62 x 51mm caliber) in the Kumshe Jamba Mari area of Maiduguri, the state capital. The operation, conducted on January 4, 2026, highlights the continued vigilance of law enforcement agencies in combating potential threats from insurgent groups and arms proliferation in an area long affected by the Boko Haram conflict.
According to the official statement released by the command's spokesperson, ASP Nahum Kenneth Daso, the discovery was made following credible intelligence received by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Lamisula Division. At approximately 1400 hours (2:00 PM) on January 4, a team of police operatives was deployed to the location, where they uncovered the concealed ammunition. The Department of Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) was promptly involved to secure the site, cordon off the area, and safely recover the exhibits without incident.
"The Borno State Police Command, under the leadership of CP Naziru Abdulmajid psc, has recorded another significant operational breakthrough in its sustained efforts to enhance public safety and security across the state," the statement read. It further detailed that the recovered items have been secured in police custody, with investigations underway to determine the source, intended use, and any individuals responsible for hiding the ammunition.
Commissioner of Police Naziru Abdulmajid commended the public for providing timely intelligence, emphasizing the role of community cooperation in such successes. He reiterated the command's dedication to intelligence-led policing and urged residents to remain vigilant, reporting any suspicious activities or movements in their neighborhoods to the nearest police station or through emergency lines.
This recovery comes at a time of heightened security alertness in Borno State, which has been the epicenter of the jihadist insurgency led by Boko Haram and its splinter group, Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), for over a decade. Although the Nigerian military has made substantial gains in degrading the terrorists' capabilities, sporadic attacks, arms smuggling, and hidden caches continue to pose risks to civilian populations and security forces.
Notably, this police operation follows closely on the heels of a similar discovery by the military just days earlier. On January 2, 2026, troops from Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), the joint task force overseeing counter-insurgency efforts in the North-East, recovered over 1,270 rounds of 12.7mm ammunition, including warheads and live rounds, along with power banks concealed in a drainage channel in the Bulumkutu Railway area of Maiduguri. That recovery was prompted by a distress call from residents who spotted suspicious metallic objects.
The proximity in timing and location of these two major ammunition seizures—both within Maiduguri—raises concerns about potential coordinated efforts to stockpile weapons for future attacks. Security analysts suggest that such caches could be linked to remnant insurgent cells attempting to regroup or resupply amid increased military pressure. The 7.62 x 51mm rounds recovered by police are compatible with NATO-standard rifles, including variants used by both military forces and insurgents, while the heavier 12.7mm caliber is often associated with anti-aircraft or heavy machine guns favored by terrorist groups for improvised weaponry.
Borno State has seen a relative decline in large-scale attacks in recent years due to sustained military operations, including air strikes, ground offensives, and community deradicalization programs. However, the persistence of hidden arms indicates ongoing challenges. In 2025 alone, multiple unexploded ordnances and smaller caches were neutralized by police EOD teams in various parts of the state, averting potential disasters.
The police spokesperson stressed that no arrests were made during the January 4 operation, but efforts are intensifying to trace the ammunition's origins. Possible sources could include black market smuggling from neighboring countries like Chad or Cameroon, diversion from legitimate military stocks, or remnants from past battles where insurgents abandoned materiel.
Residents of Kumshe Jamba Mari and surrounding areas expressed relief at the swift police action. One local, speaking anonymously, noted that the community has been cooperating more with security agencies since awareness campaigns emphasized the dangers of unreported suspicious items. The Commissioner of Police's call for continued partnership aligns with broader national strategies under President Bola Tinubu's administration to foster civil-military relations in insurgency-affected zones.
As investigations proceed, the Borno Police Command has assured the public of enhanced patrols and checkpoints in Maiduguri and other vulnerable areas. This incident underscores the fragile security landscape in the North-East, where intelligence-sharing between police, military, and civilians remains crucial to preventing a resurgence of violence.
The recovery of these 912 rounds not only disrupts potential threats but also serves as a testament to the effectiveness of proactive policing in a region striving for lasting peace. Authorities have urged calm while promising thorough probes to bring any culprits to justice.
