The Niger State Police Command has recovered a suspected military unexploded ordnance (UXO) in the Zugurma community of Mashegu Local Government Area.

The command’s spokesperson, SP Wasiu Abiodun, disclosed this in a statement issued in Minna on Tuesday. He said the recovery followed a report received on Monday from the Divisional Police Officer of Ibbi Division, after residents discovered an object believed to be a missile inside a forest in the area.

According to Abiodun, police operatives immediately moved to the location and cordoned off the area to prevent harm to residents. Acting on the development, the Commissioner of Police, Adamu Elleman, ordered the deployment of additional personnel to secure the scene.

The Explosive Ordnance Disposal–Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (EOD-CBRN) unit, led by CSP Mohammed Mamun, later arrived at the location on Tuesday. With the assistance of community members, the team was guided to the exact spot where the object was found.

“The EOD team rendered the device safe and recovered it into custody before moving it to the State Police Headquarters in Minna,” Abiodun said.

He confirmed that the object was identified as a military unexploded ordnance, adding that its source is yet to be determined. Investigations are ongoing, and further updates will be provided as they become available.

The police also appealed to members of the public to remain calm, assuring that security agencies are fully on ground to ensure safety and restore normalcy in the affected and surrounding communities.

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