The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Anti-bomb

  • Police to deploy U.S trained anti-bomb experts

    The police will deploy the 60 Explosives Ordinance Disposal (EOD) operatives trained by the United States on new techniques in mines and IED detection.

    The operatives, on Friday, concluded the four-week training at the EOD Command on Bank Anthony Way, Ikeja, Lagos.

    The training was facilitated by the U.S Mission, Nigeria, through the Anti-Terrorism Assistant (ATA) programme in conjunction with the Nigeria Police.

    The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris, who was represented by the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Operations, Joshak Habila, said the officers will go back and train their colleagues and subordinates.

    He said: “The training was designed to expose participants to current trends in rendering safe/disposal of Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) and Unexploded Ordinance (UXOs), through the application of EOD standard practice and technique.

    “Participants were trained on an overview of recent threats, particularly in Nigeria, bomb threat assessment/tactical operations, IED electronic review and post-blast investigation overview.

    “They were also trained in chemical biological radiological nuclear awareness, team organisation, radiation concepts/decontamination; remote operations review and rope knotting, and bomb squad response equipment and maintenance.”

    The beneficiaries are expected to impart the knowledge acquired to other bomb technicians to enhance EOD service delivery.

    Idris thanked the U.S. Consul General in Nigeria, the Region Security Officer (RSO) and the facilitators for the training.

    In his remark, US Embassy’s RSO Scottie Blancett said he was optimistic the effects of the training would translate to safety for the people.

    One of the facilitators, JonDe Martino advised

  • Four killed in accidental explosion at Police Anti-bomb Squad Office

    Four killed in accidental explosion at Police Anti-bomb Squad Office

    Bombs retrieved from Boko Haram exploded accidentally yesterday at the Police Anti-bomb Squad Office in Jimeta, Yola, the Adamawa State capital.

    Four people died while scores of policemen were injured. School children were cut by shattered glass.

    Crying kids, screaming parents and panick vendors ran  for their lives when an officer warned of the possibility of a secondary explosion in Yola’s Jimeta neighborhood. The police station is in a commercial area surrounded by a market, the main prison, a post office, a TV station and two primary schools.

    Fire engines and ambulances with sirens blaring arrived at the scene. The office of the Police Anti-Bomb Squad was razed along with nearby buildings in the police complex.

    The powerful blast shattered windows for blocks.

    The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) confirmed that four persons died. According to a statement by Senior Information Officer Sani Datti, the explosion occurred at about noon and the injured persons taken to the Federal Medical Centre, Yola.

    According to the statement, nearby Jimeta Primary School, Post Office, old NITEL building and some neighbouring houses were affected.

    “The bombs (that exploded) are among those retrieved from Boko Haram,” Deputy Superintendent Othman Abubakar, told The Associated Press. He denied that the bombs were planted.

    Rescue officials recovered four bodies and ferried at least 20 wounded children and people to the hospital, according to PR Nigeria, an agency that disseminates government statements.

    “I heard a deafening bang,” said Ibrahim Abubakar, a trader whose shop is outside the headquarters of the Jimeta Divisional Police Station. “I saw smoke around the station and over 10 bodies,” he said.

    Adamawa State Police chief Mohammed Gazali said the recovered bomb exploded from the store used by the Police Command to warehouse exhibits.

    He said most of those affected by the blast were policemen.

    “Policemen were mostly affected and we don’t know the actual casualties for now as the place is not yet safe for us to go in,” Gazali said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the explosion also affected the walls of Majalisa Primary School where some pupils were injured.

    Commissioner for Information Malam Ahmad Sajoh said the pupils sustained minor injuries and had been treated and discharged from hospital.

    NAN reports that the station where the blast occurred contained offices of the Central Investigation Bureau (CIB), Motor Traffic Department (MTD) and the police tailoring section.

    The incident has led to hurried closure of markets and schools in the area as residents scamper home for safety

  • US trains 23 anti-bomb policemen

    Twenty three policemen in the Anti-Bomb Squad have been trained by the American Government to fight terrorism in the country.

    The policemen were trained in Explosive Incident Counter Measures Course at the Academy Training Centre, Moyock, North Carolina, USA.

    It was gathered that the policemen who returned home last Monday, will train 160 personnel that will be drawn from the various units of Explosive Ordinace Device (EOD) in the Federation during a two weeks training/seminar.

    The Commissioner of Police in charge, ‘B’ Department (EOD) Force Headquarters, Abuja, Abdulmajid Ali, said: ” In order to maximise the benefits realised from the course, the Command deemed it expedient to organise the seminar aimed at capacity building, predicated on the same contents that will enable the participants internalise the contents and also disseminate the knowledge so acquired to their subordinates in various EOD formations nationwide with a view to keeping them abreast with contemporary skills and technology in line with global best practices”.

  • Anti-bomb squad strengthens security at RCCG congress

    Anti-bomb squad strengthens security at RCCG congress

    DETERMINED to ensure a hitch-free programme and adequate security for worshipers at the ongoing Holy Ghost Congress (HGC) of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), security operatives are at work in the Redemption Camp, Kilometre 46-48 on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

    It was learnt that the presence of the operatives was at the instance of the RCCG authority in the liight of the Boko Haram insurgence and other security challenges facing the country.

    The operatives, mainly from the Anti-bomb unit of the police, were yesterday patrolling the sprawling camp and using detectors and other equipment to screen worshippers at the gates.

    They were also visible around the expansive HGC Arena.

    An official of the church, who declined to give his name because he was not allowed to speak, said the anti-bomb squad would not only boost the existing security arrangement but work round the clock during the week-long programme to apply the “strictest measures of security and forestall any disaster.”

    Mr. Matthew, who identified himself as a Provincial Pastor from Sagamu expressed satisfaction with the security arrangement.

    “They are effective; they searched me thoroughly. They searched my bags and the trunk of my car,” he told The Nation.

    Besides, the state and federal security personnel ( the Traffic Enforcement Agency (TRACE) the Federal Road Safety Corps and the police traffic wardens), the church also has privately-trained security guards code-named:The Redeemed Army.

    Members of the squad have the mandate to arrest anybody flouting camp rules and engaging in civil disobedience.

    In his welcome remark on Monday night, the General Overseer of the church, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, described the programme, tagged: “Signs & Wonders” as a special programme divinely designed for divine surprises, noting that “nothing is too difficult for God”.

    Pastor Adeboye said: “There will also be teachings on marriage, home management, business, career and other related issues of day-to-day living by professionals on the various fields during the afternoon sessions.”