Security operations are underway in a remote part of Niger State after locals stumbled upon a dangerous and unexpected object: a suspected missile warhead believed to be of American origin.
Discovery by Local Vigilance
The alarming find was made in the bush near Zugurma, within the Mashegu Local Government Area. According to sources, it was community members who first sighted the unusual device and immediately took the responsible step of alerting the authorities. This quick reporting triggered a swift security response to the potentially lethal discovery.
Security Response and Investigation
The Niger State Police Command, through its spokesperson SP Wasiu Abiodun, officially confirmed the incident. He stated that a report was received on January 5, 2026, at about 2:00 PM concerning the object. Police operatives from the Ibbi Division promptly moved to the scene.
Their first action was to cordon and secure the area to prevent any accidental access by civilians. Following this, the specialized Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (EOD-CBRN) unit of the Command was deployed. This team is tasked with the critical job of investigating the device, assessing its risk, and safely recovering it.
Origins and Ongoing Probe
Preliminary information from security sources suggests the device is suspected to be a Tomahawk missile warhead. There are strong indications that it may be among missiles fired by the United States military, though the exact circumstances of how it ended up in Niger State remain unclear and are a core part of the investigation.
SP Abiodun emphasized that the item is currently under investigation and assured the public that further developments would be communicated in due course. The discovery has raised serious questions and concerns within the community and among security analysts monitoring the region.
