In a significant security breakthrough, troops from the Joint Task Force, Operation Hadin Kai, have uncovered a fresh cache of live ammunition in the Maiduguri Metropolitan Council area of Borno State.
Details of the Discovery
The latest recovery occurred in the Bulumkutu area, near a railway line, within the broader Kumshe locality. This discovery comes barely a day after the Nigerian Army found a similar stash of ammunition near a railway in the Kumshe community on the outskirts of Maiduguri. According to a local resident who identified himself as Mallam, the cache was found concealed in sacks beside the railway tracks.
Mallam, who spoke to The Guardian on Sunday in Maiduguri, stated that the police and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) made the discovery. He confirmed that security personnel immediately cordoned off the area where the ammunition was buried. Furthermore, the police anti-bomb squad was deployed to the scene to ensure the safety of residents and passersby. The site is reported to be about 50 metres from Shehu Laminu Way.
Historical Significance of the Location
The resident highlighted the strategic and historical significance of the Kumshe area. He noted its proximity to the former headquarters of the Boko Haram insurgent group, popularly known as Markas, as well as the residence of the late Mohammed Yusuf, the founder of the group. The Markas headquarters is historically linked to the 16-year Boko Haram insurgency, which has resulted in the loss of thousands of lives and widespread destruction of property across Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe states.
It is worth recalling that the Markas headquarters was demolished and flattened in July 2009 on the directive of the administration of the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, following intensified security operations in Maiduguri.
Ongoing Security Operations and Response
As of the time of filing this report, the military and other security agencies had not yet issued an official statement regarding this second recovery of ammunition in the area. This discovery underscores the persistent security challenges and the continuous efforts of Operation Hadin Kai troops to clear remnants of insurgent logistics and armaments.
The back-to-back finds near vital infrastructure like railway lines suggest ongoing vigilance is crucial. These operations are critical in disrupting the supply chains of terrorist elements and enhancing safety in northeastern Nigeria.
