The Nigeria Police Force Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit has again successfully recovered unexploded military ordnances in Maiduguri on 22nd November 2024, following reports from vigilant residents. Acting swiftly, the Explosive Ordnance Disposal – Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (EOD-CBRN) team was deployed to secure the affected areas. All ordnances were safely evacuated without any loss of life, injury, or property damage, and normalcy has been restored.

Police Force Spokesperson, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi in a statement said 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 ordnances, declared the areas safe, and conducted explosive risk awareness campaigns to sensitize residents.

Commending the professionalism and prompt response of the EOD-CBRN Unit, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D, NPM 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 responsiveness and professionalism in preventing series of calamities as many IEDs have been safely recovered in many 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.

Police operatives recover eight unexploded bomb

The police in Borno on Friday recovered eight unexploded devices from the Dala and Gwange areas of Maiduguri.

A statement by ASP Grace Michael, its spokesperson, said that the recoveries followed a distress call about some unidentified objects suspected to be explosives near an uncompleted building in Dala-Abuja Talakawa Area, Maiduguri.

“Our Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (EOD-CBRN) Base 13 team responded swiftly, recovering six projectiles and one unexploded mortar bomb, which were safely relocated to a secure site.

“Later that day, at about 1 p.m., another report was received from the Gwange area regarding a suspicious object along the riverbank. The EOD-CBRN team was deployed to the scene and recovered an unexploded hand grenade.

“Preliminary investigations suggest that the ordnance were displaced and washed ashore by recent devastating floods in the state,” she said

The police, she said, had conducted an Explosive Ordnance Risk Awareness (EORE) training for residents of both communities, educating them on safety measures.

She quoted the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Yusufu Lawal, as reaffirming the command’s commitment to ensuring public safety.

Michael urged residents to remain calm, vigilant and to promptly report any suspicious objects or activities through the emergency lines – 0806 807 5581 and 0802 347 3293.