The Nigerian Police has foiled a terrorist plot in Niger State, uncovering a large cache of explosive devices, including bombs and Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), buried in multiple locations across the state.

According to the Niger State Police Command, the discovery is the result of a series of counter-insurgency operations conducted between 2021 and 2023, in collaboration with other security agencies.

The police spokesman, Wasiu Abiodun, who made the disclosure on Tuesday said that an investigation is currently underway to determine the source of the explosive devices, which are suspected to have been concealed by terrorists and bandits.

The recovered items include four pipe-borne IEDs buried in the ground, discovered at Galadima-Kogo, Shiroro LGA on September 27, 2021; explosives concealed in empty shells of suspected military missiles and a 5kg cooking gas cylinder, recovered at Mutun-Daya, Shiroro LGA on February 11, 2022; and explosives concealed in a ten-litre jerrican, three pieces of suspected military hand grenades, and a bow-shaped improvised material, recovered at Gbeganu area of Minna on October 24, 2023.

“The successful destruction took place on 22nd August 2024 at a location behind Zuma Rock, Suleja led by the Officer in Charge of the EOD-CBRN (Explosive Ordinance Disposal – Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear) Unit of the Command, SP Mohammed Mamun,” the statement by the police added.