Three days after gunmen killed more than 40 people in Kasuwar Daji, residents of Ganaru area in Magama Local Government Area of Niger State have discovered another unexploded explosive device suspected to be a missile.
The device, found on Tuesday, is believed to be a Tomahawk missile warhead allegedly of United States origin, raising fresh security and safety concerns in the area.
Sources told Bellnews that residents were alarmed by the discovery, warning that unexploded military ordnance could easily be mistaken for scrap metal and handled by unsuspecting individuals.
One of the sources cautioned, “Anyone considering repurposing the metal should be aware that it contains a powerful 600-pound high-explosive warhead.”
The discovery comes days after gunmen carried out a deadly attack on Kasuwar Daji market, killing over 40 people.
During the assault, the attackers also burnt down a Mobile Police checkpoint and ransacked several homes in the community.
According to Bellnews, the checkpoint was targeted to delay or prevent security forces from responding swiftly to the attack, leaving residents exposed.
The killings and subsequent destruction have left residents of Magama and surrounding communities in fear, with many expressing concerns about renewed violence.
Local authorities have reportedly warned residents to immediately report any suspicious objects and avoid touching or tampering with unexploded devices due to the extreme danger they pose.