Security operatives in Niger State have taken custody of a suspected unexploded military device discovered in Zugurma, Mashegu Local Government Area.
Police spokesperson, SP Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed the incident in a statement issued in Minna on Tuesday, noting that the recovery followed a report filed by the Divisional Police Officer in Ibbi on Monday.
According to him, residents stumbled on what appeared to be a missile deep inside a nearby forest and immediately alerted authorities.
Operatives from the Ibbi division were deployed without delay, sealing off the location to prevent residents from straying into the danger zone.
The state Commissioner of Police, Adamu Elleman, was said to have ordered the mobilisation of additional personnel to reinforce security at the site.
By Tuesday, the command’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal–Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear unit, led by CSP Mohammed Mamun, arrived at the scene. Local residents reportedly guided the team to where the item was lying.
“The EOD team rendered the device safe and recovered it into custody for onward transfer to the State Command Headquarters in Minna,” Abiodun stated.
He described the object as a UXO—military unexploded ordnance—adding that investigators are yet to determine how it got to the area.
Abiodun assured that inquiries are ongoing, and further details would be shared when available.
He appealed for calm among residents, emphasising that police and other security agencies remain fully deployed to guarantee safety across the community and nearby settlements.