In an effort to develop police force capacity and enhance security, the Nigeria Police Force has opened a new Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) training school in Borno State’s capital Maiduguri.
The school is the first of its kind in the northeast region and is expected to bolster security in the region and the country at large.
Emphasizing on its importance, DCP Ahmed Mohammed Bello, who represented Borno’s Commissioner of Police in a press briefing at the facility on Monday, said the newly established school is designed to enhance the capacity of the police force in managing and neutralizing explosion threats.
He said the project is a collaboration of United Nations Maine Action Service UNMAS, UK Aid and other partners with the Nigerian Police Force and the Lake Chad Basin Support Framework, to see to the actualization of the school.
DCP Bello noted that the partners have already commenced capacity-building training for the police force personnel to curtail the issue of explosive ordinance, bombs, and mines planted by Boko Harams.
”We wish to register our deep-seated appreciation to our strategic partners who contributed immensely to see to the success of this beautiful event, and I want to assure you that we are going to make massive utilization of the school,” he said.
However, the school’s establishment comes as a response to the increasing threat of explosive devices and other forms of terrorism that have plagued the nation for years.
Borno State, in particular, has been a focal point of these attacks, with Maiduguri bearing the brunt of the violence.
In his remarks, one of the representatives of the United Nations, Edwin Faigmane, who is also the Chief Mine Action Programme for the UN Mine Action Service, said the organization is ever ready to partner with the police force to stop the menace of bombs in the state.
He also called on other security agencies to make use of the facility and the training opportunities while protecting the lives and properties of the people.
”We would continue to partner with the Borno State Police Force in the future through the centre once again, and we encourage each organization and local NGO and also other security agencies to liaise with the police command here and the EOD school to make use of this facility,” he noted.
On his part, the Senior Military Advisor MBE for Lake Chad Basin Support Framework, Roger Fawcus, highlighted the importance of the training school.
”Explosive Ordnance Disposal plays a crucial role in ensuring public safety, security, and the proper functioning of a state’s defence and emergency services,” he said.
The event ended with an inspection and commissioning of the two facilities.
