Police Secure Unexploded Military Missile in Niger Community, Launch Probe into Source

|By Adejumo Adekunle

Police in Niger State have secured a suspected military unexploded missile discovered in Zugurma community, Mashegu Local Government Area, and have launched an investigation to determine how the device ended up in the area.

The Niger State Police Command confirmed that farmers discovered the object in a forest on Monday, January 5, 2026, and promptly alerted security operatives.

In a statement issued in Minna by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, the Commissioner of Police, Adamu Abdullahi Elleman, said divisional police operatives immediately moved to the scene after receiving the report at about 2:00 p.m. and cordoned off the area to prevent harm to residents.

He disclosed that on Tuesday, January 6, at about 6:00 a.m., the Explosive Ordnance Disposal–Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (EOD-CBRN) unit, led by CSP Mohammed Mamun, mobilised to the location with support from community members and police operatives.

According to the Commissioner, the EOD-CBRN team successfully rendered the device safe and recovered it before moving it to the Niger State Police Headquarters in Minna for further action.

Preliminary assessment identified the object as a military unexploded ordnance (UXO) missile, although its origin remains unknown. Police authorities said investigations are ongoing and assured that further findings would be communicated to the public.

The Commissioner of Police urged residents to remain calm, stressing that security agencies are working assiduously to ensure safety and restore normalcy in the affected area.