From Molly Kilete, Abuja
The Nigeria Police Force headquarters in Abuja has announced that its Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit successfully recovered unexploded military ordnance in Maiduguri, the Borno state capital.
Force Public Relations Officer Olu Muyiwa Adejobi, who made this known, stated that the unexploded ordnance was discovered by vigilant residents who informed the police.
He said that upon receiving the report, the Explosive Ordnance Disposal – Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (EOD-CBRN) team was deployed to secure the affected areas.
Adejobi, in a statement, said: “All ordnance were safely evacuated without any loss of life, injury, or property damage, and normalcy has been restored.”
“In the Dala Kacchallah area, the operatives recovered six (6) unexploded projectiles and one (1) mortar bomb near an uncompleted building. Reports indicate that the items, washed ashore by recent flooding, were abandoned by local scavengers. Similarly, at the Gwange Riverbank, a military hand grenade was discovered. In both instances, the EOD-CBRN team safely removed the ordnance, declared the areas safe, and conducted explosive risk awareness campaigns to sensitise residents.”
Commending the professionalism and prompt response of the EOD-CBRN Unit, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, has assured Nigerians of the Force’s commitment to ensuring public safety and security. The IGP also noted that the EOD team in Borno State has been consistent in its responsiveness and professionalism, preventing a series of calamities as many IEDs have been safely recovered in numerous instances within the state. Investigations are ongoing to trace the origins of the recovered items and to prevent future occurrences.
The Inspector-General of Police urges members of the public to refrain from handling suspicious objects and to promptly report such discoveries to the police. The Nigeria Police Force remains steadfast in its mandate to protect lives and property across Maiduguri and its environs.