Security operatives in Kaduna State have recovered a substantial quantity of military-grade explosives and various weapons from a scrapyard in the Kudandan Industrial Area, raising serious concerns about the transportation of dangerous materials from conflict zones.
The discovery occurred on August 2 when police received intelligence reports about suspicious items at the waste processing facility in Kaduna South Local Government Area. According to the state police command, the dangerous materials had been transported as part of scrap metal consignments originating from Borno State, an area heavily affected by ongoing insurgency activities.
Kaduna State Police Public Relations Officer DSP Mansir Hassan confirmed that specialized Explosive Ordnance Disposal personnel were immediately dispatched to investigate the reported materials. The EOD team’s assessment revealed that the items were indeed unexploded military ordnance posing significant risks to public safety.
Following established safety procedures, the explosive materials were carefully removed from the facility and transported to a secure location where they were safely destroyed under controlled conditions. The operation prevented potential catastrophic incidents that could have resulted from accidental detonation of the military-grade weapons.
In addition to the explosives, security operatives recovered a homemade revolver pistol containing six rounds of ammunition, fifteen rounds of 7.2mm live ammunition, three live cartridges, and various other weapons components scattered throughout the facility.
Commissioner of Police Rabiu Muhammad has ordered the immediate closure of the scrapyard pending a comprehensive security sweep to ensure no additional explosive materials remain hidden within the facility. The police chief emphasized that thorough inspections would continue until authorities can guarantee complete removal of all dangerous items.
The incident has prompted new directives from the Kaduna police command regarding waste transportation from high-risk areas. Commissioner Muhammad issued stern warnings to all scavenging operations and recycling businesses against accepting materials from regions experiencing active conflict, particularly northeastern states affected by insurgency.
All area commanders and divisional police officers throughout Kaduna State have received explicit instructions to strictly enforce these new regulations and arrest anyone found violating the prohibitions on dangerous waste transportation.
The police command has called upon Kaduna residents to maintain heightened vigilance and immediately report any suspicious activities or materials discovered in their communities. Officials stressed that continued cooperation between civilians and security agencies remains essential for protecting lives and property from potential threats posed by unexploded ordnance and illegal weapons.
