IEDs: 6 deadly signs to avoid on roads, farmlands – Police

The anti-bomb squad of the Nigeria Police Force has provided six signs to avoid in mine-risk areas to mitigate the loss of lives and property.  

The commandant, Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) of the Nigeria Police, Sylvanus Ntul, spoke at a conference to mark the International Mine Action and Awareness Day 2024, organised by the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) in Maiduguri on Wednesday. 

The conference aimed to improve safety measures and protect communities from the risks posed by unexploded ordnance, particularly as IDPs are resettled in their hometowns. 

It emphasised the importance of self-reliance and community awareness in ensuring safety in areas affected by mines and explosives.

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Ntul said he has been educating people to recognise IEDs and take appropriate actions when encountering mines and explosives. 

He displayed different types of IEDs and bombs for participants to identify and report wherever they saw them.

“As you’re moving on the road, you should avoid these six signs and report to security operatives. 

“First is the soil disturbance, colour change of the soil, discardable, depression of the soil, file of stones, nylon tied to a tree,” he said.

Brig-Gen AG Haruna, the GOC of the 7 Division, highlighted the military’s commitment to combating mines, unexploded ordinances, and IEDs in the North East. 

The military, he said, prioritised protecting displaced populations against these hidden dangers and has conducted comprehensive training programmes for law enforcement and security personnel.

“Let me point out that the 7 Division engineers brigade has over the years worked tirelessly to clear explosive devices and unexploded ordnance on roads and reclaimed lands where children can play and adults can farm in risk areas without fear. 

“We have initiated comprehensive training programmes aimed at equipping law enforcement and security personnel with the emphasis to detect, mark and recover explosive devices, to serve as protectors of peace with utmost competence,” he added.

The Commandant of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Borno State Command, Musa Boyi, cautioned against touching strange objects to reduce the incidences of IED explosions. 

Represented by an anti-bomb officer of the corp, Boyi said: “Children would think it is a toy while adults will assume it is a metal scrap, and incidentally people would pick it out of curiosity and cause damage.” 

He said the NSCDC would not relent in educating the people on how to identify the IEDs and what they should do as civilians when they come across mines and explosives.