The Nigeria Police Force’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit successfully retrieved several unexploded military ordnances in Maiduguri on November 22, 2024, thanks to alert residents who reported the findings.
Acting quickly, the Explosive Ordnance Disposal – Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (EOD-CBRN) team was dispatched to the Dala Kacchallah area, where they located six unexploded projectiles and one mortar bomb near an unfinished building. Investigations revealed that these ordnances had been washed ashore following recent flooding and were previously abandoned by local scavengers.
In addition, the team discovered a military hand grenade at the Gwange Riverbank. All ordnances were safely evacuated without any injuries, fatalities, or property damage reported, and normalcy has been restored to the affected areas. The EOD-CBRN team also conducted explosive risk awareness campaigns to educate residents about safety measures.
Inspector-General of Police Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun praised the professionalism and swift action of the EOD-CBRN Unit, emphasizing the Nigeria Police’s commitment to public safety and security in the region. He highlighted that the unit’s consistent response has prevented potential disasters, noting the successful recovery of numerous improvised explosive devices (IEDs) across Borno State.
The Inspector-General urged the public to avoid handling any suspicious objects and to report them to authorities immediately. The Nigeria Police Force remains dedicated to protecting lives and properties in Maiduguri and its surroundings.
ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the Force Public Relations Officer, conveyed the ongoing efforts of police investigations to trace the origins of the recovered ordnances and prevent similar incidents in the future.
