The Borno State Police Command has recovered an unexploded ordnance, identified as a hand grenade, from a drainage slab in the Moduganari area of Maiduguri, the state capital.
The explosive device was recovered by operatives of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal-Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear unit, EOD-CBRN Base 13, Maiduguri, following a report by members of the public.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, ASP Nahum Daso, disclosed this in a statement issued on Saturday, saying the command received the report at about 12:40pm on August 15, 2026.
Daso said the operation was carried out on the directive of the Commissioner of Police, CP Naziru Abdulmajid, after the suspected explosive device was discovered on a drainage slab in the area.
“Acting on the directives of the Commissioner of Police, CP Naziru Abdulmajid, following a report received at about 1240hrs on 15 August 2026 regarding a suspected UXO found on a drainage slab in Moduganari area, operatives of the EOD-CBRN Base 13, Maiduguri, promptly mobilised to the scene and safely recovered the item,” the statement said.
He explained that the device, which was identified as an unexploded ordnance in the form of a hand grenade, was successfully removed from the drainage area without causing harm to residents or property.
According to the police spokesman, the recovered item has since been secured for further examination as authorities investigate its origin and the circumstances surrounding its discovery.
“The recovered UXO has been secured for further examination, while investigations are ongoing to ascertain its origin and the circumstances surrounding its discovery,” Daso said.
The command commended residents who alerted the police after discovering the suspected explosive device, describing their prompt response as important in preventing possible casualties.
The Commissioner of Police also praised members of the public for their vigilance and urged residents to continue cooperating with security agencies by promptly reporting suspicious objects and activities.
“The Commissioner of Police commends the vigilance of the members of the public who promptly alerted the Police and reiterates the Command’s commitment to protecting lives and property across the State,” Daso stated.
The police, however, warned residents against touching, moving or attempting to examine suspected explosive devices, stressing that such objects should only be handled by trained personnel.
Daso urged residents who encounter suspicious objects to immediately move away from the area and contact the police or other relevant security agencies.
“The Borno State Police Command remains committed to ensuring the safety and security of all residents and urges continued cooperation and timely reporting of suspicious objects or activities,” the statement added.
The discovery comes amid the lingering security challenges in parts of Borno, where remnants of improvised explosive devices and other explosive materials have continued to pose risks to civilians and security personnel following years of insurgency.
Maiduguri and surrounding communities have experienced the effects of the Boko Haram insurgency for more than a decade, with security agencies regularly conducting operations to clear suspected explosive devices and other remnants of terrorist activities.
The police command’s EOD-CBRN personnel have continued to play a critical role in responding to reports of suspected explosives, particularly in areas where residents may encounter abandoned or unexploded ordnance.
Authorities have repeatedly advised residents not to assume that abandoned metallic objects, ammunition or other suspicious materials are harmless, as some may remain capable of causing serious injury or death.
The latest recovery also highlights the importance of community vigilance in countering security threats, particularly in densely populated areas where an unexploded device could endanger residents if handled improperly.
West Trybe reports that the safe recovery of the suspected hand grenade prevented a potentially dangerous situation in Moduganari, while the police investigation is expected to determine how the explosive device came to be placed on the drainage slab. The incident also reinforces the need for residents to promptly report suspected explosives and allow trained security personnel to handle them.
