The Kaduna Police Command bomb squad has uncovered military-grade unexploded ordnance and recovered arms and ammunition at a scrap depot in the Kudendan Industrial Layout of Kaduna South Local Government Area of the state.
The development has sparked security concerns and triggered a fresh crackdown on waste consignments from conflict-ridden Borno State.
The discovery, which was made on Saturday, August 2, 2025, followed an intelligence report that suspicious items—believed to be unexploded bombs—had been found in a shipment of scrap transported from the North-East.
Confirming the incident in a statement, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Mansir Hassan, said “On 2nd August 2025, acting on credible intelligence received, the Command was alerted to the presence of suspicious items believed to be Unexploded Ordnances (UXOs) at a scavenger’s company located around the Kudandan Industrial Area in Kaduna South Local Government Area.
“The suspicious items were said to have been found within a load of trash waste recently transported from Borno State.”
The statement further said a specialised team from its Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit, acting on credible intelligence, was deployed to the scene where a scavenger’s company was operating.
“Upon receipt of the information, a specialised team of the Command’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) technicians, led by the Commander, promptly responded to the scene. After a thorough assessment, the items were confirmed to be unexploded military-grade ordinance bombs.
“The suspicious items were said to have been found within a load of trash waste recently transported from Borno State. After a thorough assessment, the items were confirmed to be unexploded military-grade ordinance bombs,” the statement added.
He added that the team immediately evacuated the bombs to a secure location where they would be safely demolished following standard safety protocols.
During the operation, several other dangerous items were also recovered. These included one locally fabricated revolver pistol fully loaded with six rounds of ammunition, fifteen rounds of 7.2 mm live ammunition, three live cartridges, and other assorted ammunition.
Following the recovery, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Rabiu Muhammad, ordered the immediate closure of the depot and directed a full sweep of the premises to ensure no other explosives were hidden within the facility.
He also issued a strong warning to all scavenger companies and scrap dealers across the state to desist from receiving any form of waste or consignment originating from crisis-prone areas, particularly Borno State.
“The Commissioner of Police, CP Rabiu Muhammad, reiterates the command’s commitment to maintaining law and order and calls on the public to continue to provide useful and timely information that can aid in the prevention of crime and protection of lives and property,” the police spokesman stated.
The police also warned that defaulting companies would face the full wrath of the law.
“All Area Commanders and Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) have been directed to monitor scavenger operations within their jurisdictions and arrest any defaulters violating this new directive,” the statement added.
The Commissioner urged Kaduna residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity around industrial areas or scrapyards.
“This incident is a reminder that security is everyone’s responsibility. We must all work together to keep our communities safe,” he said.
