The United Kingdom Government, in collaboration with the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS), has successfully 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 inaugural training session, which took place in Maiduguri, concluded on October 4, 2024.
According to a statement released by Atinuke Akande-Alegbe, Senior Communications and Public Diplomacy Officer at the British High Commission in Abuja, the training program aimed to equip NPF and NSCDC officers with essential skills to educate at-risk communities about the dangers posed by unexploded ordnance. This initiative seeks to reduce the risk of casualties in areas affected by conflict.
The trained officers will be deployed to vulnerable regions to share critical safety information with residents. At the closing ceremony, John Sanderson, Human Security Adviser at the British High Commission, emphasized the importance of the training, stating, “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 enhance human security in high-risk areas.”
Edwin Faigmane, Chief of the UNMAS Mine Action Programme in Nigeria, added that collaboration with the NPF and NSCDC allows for the delivery of essential safety messages to hard-to-reach areas. “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,” Faigmane stated.
NSCDC Commandant Abdulkadir Sulu highlighted the benefits of the training, noting that acquiring EORE skills will enhance the effectiveness of NSCDC personnel in helping communities affected by explosive remnants of war stay safe, ultimately contributing to the safety of their personnel and families.
In addition, Commissioner of Police Patrick Atayero announced the official 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 UNMAS and the UK Government for their support, describing the initiative as a significant milestone in promoting a safer environment in northeast Nigeria.