Over 4,000 rounds of suspected World War II-era ammunition unearthed in Moyale

Police in Marsabit County recovered more than 4,000 rounds of ammunition believed to date back to the Italian occupation of Ethiopia after they were unearthed during construction works in Moyale.

The cache was discovered on Wednesday afternoon by a resident of Moyale Town, while digging a foundation for a house opposite Moyale Township Senior School.

According to police, the man noticed several metallic objects buried underground and alerted authorities after suspecting they were ammunition.

A team comprising the Moyale Sub-County Police Commander (SCPC), the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) officer in charge of Moyale and the Officer Commanding Station (OCS) at Moyale Police Station visited the scene.

The officers confirmed that the metallic objects were ammunition buried beneath the ground.

Police recovered a total of 4,060 rounds of 8×50mm ammunition, which investigators believe may have been left behind by Italian forces during the 1935–36 campaign in the region.

The ammunition was collected and transferred to the Moyale Police Station armoury, where it will be kept pending safe disposal.

Police said the recovery operation was completed successfully and investigations into the origin of the ammunition are ongoing.

Police suspect the ammunition was left behind by Italian forces many decades ago.

Authorities have assured residents that there is no danger to public safety and have advised anyone who comes across suspected weapons or ammunition to report them immediately rather than handle them.