Authorities in Kaduna State have uncovered a large cache of military-grade explosives and ammunition at a scavenger facility in the Kudandan Industrial Area of Kaduna South Local Government Area. The Nigeria Police Force made the discovery on August 2, 2025, following a tip-off based on intelligence reports.
According to the Kaduna State Police Command, the suspicious materials were identified as unexploded ordnance (UXOs) and were traced to a shipment of waste transported from Borno State. Borno has remained a high-risk area due to persistent insurgency and armed conflict in the region.
In an official statement, the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Deputy Superintendent of Police Mansir Hassan, confirmed that the police acted swiftly upon receiving the intelligence. A specialised team from the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit was deployed to the site for inspection and safety operations.
Upon arriving at the facility, the EOD team, led by its commander, carried out a thorough inspection. The team verified that the suspicious items were indeed unexploded military-grade bombs. The explosives were immediately evacuated from the site and moved to a secure location, where they were safely demolished following standard operational protocols.
Further searches of the premises led to the recovery of several other weapons. Police operatives found a locally fabricated revolver pistol loaded with six rounds, along with fifteen rounds of 7.2mm live ammunition, and three live cartridges. Additional unspecified arms and ammunition were also recovered from the location.
In response to the find, the Commissioner of Police in Kaduna State, CP Rabiu Muhammad, ordered the immediate closure and sealing of the scavenger facility. He directed the EOD unit to carry out a full-scale sweep of the site to determine whether any additional dangerous materials remained hidden.
CP Muhammad emphasized the importance of public safety and issued a strong warning to all scavenger depots and recycling companies operating in the state. He instructed them not to accept waste materials originating from conflict-prone regions, particularly insurgency-affected areas like Borno and other parts of the Northeast.
He further directed all area commanders and divisional police officers (DPOs) across the state to enforce this directive without exception. He instructed that any facility or individual found violating the order would be subject to arrest and prosecution.
The Kaduna Police Command also used the opportunity to call on residents to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious activities or objects to the authorities. The Command noted that public cooperation is essential to the success of ongoing security efforts across the state.
DSP Hassan reiterated that collaborative efforts between the general public and security agencies remain a critical component in the fight to eliminate threats to lives and property. He urged citizens to understand the risks associated with handling scrap materials and the potential danger of transporting waste from high-risk regions.
The discovery of the explosives at the scavenger site has raised new concerns about the movement of dangerous materials from areas affected by conflict into more stable regions. The police have not yet disclosed whether any arrests have been made in connection with the incident, but investigations are ongoing.
The incident underscores the continuing security challenges in Nigeria, particularly in regions where remnants of conflict pose risks to communities far beyond the battlefield. Authorities are now working to ensure that similar threats do not make their way into civilian areas under the guise of commercial waste or salvage operations.
