FG to involve youths, retired soldiers in operations to tackle IEDs

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The Federal Government has disclosed plans to involve youths, retired military personnel and other civilians in demining operations aimed at curbing the threat posed by improvised explosive devices and anti-personnel mines across the country.

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The Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa (retd.), disclosed this on Tuesday at the National Mine Action Stakeholders Workshop in Abuja, noting that the initiative would complement ongoing efforts to address explosive hazards, particularly in insurgency-affected areas.

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Represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Richard Pheelangwah, the minister said the proposed civilian demining teams would comprise retired combat engineers, security veterans, medical professionals and trained youths working together to clear contaminated areas and support affected communities.

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He explained that the model would allow knowledge transfer from experienced military personnel to younger civilian trainees while fostering trust within communities impacted by mines and improvised explosive devices.

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“I am pleased to note that NMAC is set to commence demining operations using trained teams drawn from the Nigerian Police Force and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Force, with support from the international partners.

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“Plans are also underway to establish civilian demining teams, comprising retired military personnel, other security veterans and civilians, including youths and medical professionals. This model offers a practical scenario for knowledge transfer.

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“A retired combat engineer working alongside a young civilian trainee can pass on critical field experience, ensuring the sustainability of expertise. At the same time, the inclusion of civilians fosters trust within affected communities, encouraging the team to come forward for assistance and recruitment. Over the next two years, I expect our expertise to draw from global best practises in areas such as mine clearance, victim assistance and stockpiling strategy.

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“For instance, countries that have successfully cleared mine territories have combined community engagement with advanced protection technologies, an approach we must adapt to our local context. Equally important is mine clearance education,” he said.

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Musa warned that anti-personnel mines and improvised explosive devices remain a serious humanitarian and security concern, noting that non-state actors have continued to deploy improvised mines in conflict-affected areas, endangering lives even after hostilities have subsided.

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He lamented that farmlands in several communities in the North-East had been abandoned over fears of contamination, while children and farmers face daily risks from hidden explosives.

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“In several communities in the North-East, farmland that once sustained families are now abandoned because they are suspected to be contaminated. A farmer who simply wishes to cultivate his land may end up triggering an explosive device,” he said.

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The minister added that the Federal Government’s decision to accede to the Ottawa Convention on the Prohibition of Anti-Personnel Mines led to the establishment of the National Mine Action Centre to coordinate humanitarian demining efforts and relieve the armed forces of civilian-focused clearance responsibilities.

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According to him, the centre is mandated to accredit mine action operators, ensure quality assurance in clearance operations, develop standard operating procedures and deliver explosive ordnance risk education.

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In his goodwill message, the representative of the United Nations Mine Action Service, Edwin Faigmane, reiterated the UN’s commitment to supporting Nigeria in achieving its obligations under the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention.

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He said the UN, alongside the British and Japanese governments, had trained personnel from the police and civil defence for search and destroy operations targeting improvised explosive devices.

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“Right now, we have trained enough officers with search teams and disposal units from the civil defence and the police. Once the equipment arrives, we can hopefully start operations,” he said.

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In recent years, non-state actors, particularly in insurgency-affected areas, have deployed improvised mines that continue to endanger lives even after active hostilities have subsided.

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