DEMINISING NORTH-EAST

Government should establish a comprehensive Explosive Detection and Disarming Program in Northeast Nigeria ...


As residents of liberated areas begin to leave IDP camps for what use to be their homes, villages and communities, they face a serious threat from unexploded bombs (UXBs), Improvised explosive device (IED), vehicle borne improvised explosive device (VBIED), and conventional munitions deployed by both parties in the conflict.

Use of IEDs and non Military grade explosives is not new to Nigeria during the civil war, Biafran fighters deployed IEDs as a tactical weapon to compliment its lack of arms and to slow the advance of federal troops, they deployed these unconventional crude crafted explosives in anti personnel and anti vehicle roles during the war. The first recorded use of VBIED was in July 1967, when a car filled with explosives attempted to enter the Police HQ in Lagos.

Insurgents in North east Nigeria are the first group to extensively deploy IEDs and VBIEDs to deliberately target civilians and troops, The group began using small IEDs in 2011 to attack security forces and soft targets, They used their first VBIED to attack the UN compound in Abuja, further more IEDs have been used to interdict and arm bush military convoys and patrols teams in North East Nigeria, Due to present success in the Government counter terrorism and counter insurgency CTCOIN operations indigenes of rural communities living in IDP camps around Northern Nigeria are beginning to leave this camps for what used to be their homes , The Government has also launched rebuilding programs expected to work towards exploring the agricultural , solid mineral and crude oil potential of the North eastern part of Nigeria, This unexploded ordinance, IEDs and VBIEDs post a threat to this crucial rebuilding programs, safety of returning civilians, workers and wild life.




Nigeria Army EOD units are currently clearing mines and IEDs placed in different locations but they face the challenge of a massive landscape and rugged topography which makes it difficult to completely clear the region of IEDs, VBIEDs and unexploded ordinances ,The remoteness of certain locations also means that there will always be areas Troops cannot deploy anti mining vehicles or EOD personnel’s , These has made It very important for the government to established a civilian base  IEDD (Improvised Explosive Device Disposal) teams as well as the disposal of conventional munitions made of members of the civilian JTF(local vigilantes) , Due to their knowledge of local terrain, they are able to notice disturbance to the ground where explosives have been buried and will play crucial role in government explosive detection and Demining activities, their regular presence in the villages and towns makes it easy for them to respond to emergency situations concerning conventional explosives , Mines, IED,BOMB threats, With necessary training and equipments, assets like bomb detecting dogs, they can detect this explosive or intervene in situations where innocent civilians returning to their farms or villages step on IED or Mine , Thus engaging CJTF is a key counter IED task.

Government needs to also provide necessary technical knowledge using police EOD experts to train and retrain CJTF members drafted into the IEDD teams, necessary survival equipments, kits and capabilities to should be provided to teams, further more Government should put the teams under direct leadership and supervision of the Nigeria police force, to ensure standard and discipline, International Demining Organization should be invited to assist in the clearance. Government will only be able to clean up the North eastern region of Nigeria faster using locals / CJTF personnel’s, During complicated situation for CJTF Demining personnel’s, they are expected to call for assistance from the nearest military facilities or police Bomb disposal unit . The North east today has military grade and crude crafted explosives scattered around, it is a matter of national concern and importance to clean up the region to enable full exploration of its enormous environmental resources by both the government, private firms and returning populace.