THE Borno State Police Command has uncovered and safely neutralised a dangerous missile unexploded ordnance (UXO) discovered on a farmland in Dikwa Local Government Area, averting what could have been a major tragedy.
The discovery was made after a farmer, Mr. Babagana Kachalla, reported sighting a strange object partially buried on his farmland. Acting swiftly on the alert, the Commissioner of Police, CP Naziru Abdulmajid, deployed operatives from the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Base 13, Maiduguri, to the scene.
In a statement issued on Monday, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP Nahum Daso, confirmed the recovery and explained that the operation was carried out in line with standard EOD-CBRN (Explosive Ordnance Disposal–Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear) protocols.
“The UXO, identified as a Cluster Bomb Unit (CBU) measuring approximately 2.2 meters in length and 30 centimeters in width, was found partially buried.
The area was professionally cordoned off, and an IN-SITU demolition was conducted before the extraction of the cluster munitions plates,” the statement read.
Daso disclosed that the operation was conducted without incident, with the bomb safely destroyed by trained experts.
To further safeguard the community, police operatives also carried out Explosive Ordnance Risk Awareness (EORA) sensitisation, educating residents on how to recognise suspicious items and the steps to take when they come across such objects.
The PPRO urged members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report any suspicious objects or activities to security agencies.
“The safety of all residents of Borno State remains our utmost priority. We strongly advise the public never to tamper with strange objects but to immediately notify the nearest police station or security authority,” Daso emphasised.
The discovery of the unexploded cluster bomb underscores the lingering dangers of insurgency in Borno State, where remnants of explosives and munitions often remain hidden in farmlands and communities, posing grave risks to civilians.
Security analysts have lauded the quick response of the police, stressing that proactive surveillance and community-police cooperation are critical to preventing tragedies linked to leftover war ordnance in the region.
