The United Kingdom Government, in collaboration with the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS), has provided Explosive Ordnance Risk Education (EORE) training to 75 officers from the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
The training, held in Maiduguri, concluded on October 4, 2024.
In a statement released on Monday, Atinuke Akande-Alegbe, Senior Communications and Public Diplomacy Officer at the British High Commission in Abuja, revealed that the programme aimed to equip NPF and NSCDC officers with skills to educate communities at risk of unexploded ordnance. The goal is to reduce the risk of casualties by spreading life-saving knowledge.
The trained officers will now be deployed to vulnerable areas to share essential safety information with residents.
John Sanderson, Human Security Adviser at the British High Commission, emphasized the importance of the training, noting, “This training is critically important. Police and Civil Defence officers will now be able to deploy to prioritised locations to raise awareness among community members about the risks of explosive ordnance. This will help to enhance human security in high-risk areas affected by conflict.”
Edwin Faigmane, Chief of the UNMAS Mine Action Programme in Nigeria, highlighted the significance of collaborating with the NPF and NSCDC, saying, “Working with the NPF and NSCDC enables us to deliver these essential life-saving messages in hard-to-reach areas. It also builds sustainability, as the NPF and NSCDC will be present in these areas, working with communities to better protect people from the dangers posed by explosive ordnance.”
NSCDC Commandant Abdulkadir Sulu praised the benefits of the training, stating, “Acquiring EORE will not only enhance the effectiveness of NSCDC personnel in helping communities affected by explosive remnants of war to stay safe, but it will also significantly contribute to ensuring the safety of our personnel and their families.”
Additionally, Commissioner of Police Patrick Atayero announced the commencement of operations at the newly established Police Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear training school in Maiduguri. He expressed gratitude to the UK Government and UNMAS for their support, calling the initiative a “milestone” in promoting safety in northeast Nigeria.
