On Wednesday, January 7, 2026, residents of Zugurma village in Mashegu Local Government Area of Niger State spotted an unusual object in a forest — suspected to be a missile. They promptly notified the Ibbi Division Police Station, triggering an urgent security response.
The Niger State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed in a statement issued in Minna on Tuesday that a team of officers was immediately dispatched to cordon off the area. Under the direction of Commissioner of Police Adamu Elleman, the Explosive Ordnance Disposal – Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (EOD‑CBRN) unit — led by CSP Mohammed Mamun — was mobilized to the scene by early Tuesday morning.
Working alongside local residents who guided them to the exact location, the EOD team assessed, neutralized and secured the device. It was later identified as a military‑grade unexploded ordnance (UXO), possibly a missile warhead. The item was transported to the State Police Headquarters in Minna for further examination.
Investigations are underway to determine the origin of the UXO — whether it relates to recent U.S. military operations in the northwest or other sources. Police have appealed for calm, assuring the public that all security agencies are on high alert to maintain safety and normalcy in the affected and surrounding communities. Updates will be released as the probe progresses.
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