By Hassan Zaggi
In its determination to ensure a hit-free and peaceful election next month, the Nigeria Police Force has distributed anti-bomb equipment and gadget to officers to the Explosive Ordnance Disposal – Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (EOD-CBRN) Unit.
The distribution of the gadgets was done after the successful of training of the officers of the EOD unit in Lagos.
The gadgets, according to the Inspector General of Police (IFP), Usman Baba Alkali, were donated by the United Nations’ Mine Action Service (UNMAS), and United States Nuclear Smuggling Detection and Deterrence (US NSDD), and others procured through the Special Intervention Fund of the IGP to bases, sub-bases and other operational formations of EOD.
Represented by the Commissioner of Police in charge of the Unit, CP Zannah Shettima, the IGP explained that the gadgets include Pack Eye Back Pack Radiation Detectors, Electronic Control Measure Frequency Jammers, Thermo Scientific RIIDEye, Viken Detection Nighthawk, Thermo Scientific First Defender, and F3 Mine Lab-Deep Mine detectors.
The IGP therefore, assured, that the Nigeria Police Force in its proactiveness, has emplaced measures to ensure proper sweeping of strategic locations to prevent the import of CBRN and high-yield Explosives into public spaces.
He further noted that EOD-CBRN personnel at all entry and exit points of the country have been put on alert to be eagle-eyed in order to prevent the importation of explosive materials illegally.
While reiterating the leadership and coordinating roles the NPF has been charged to carry out in the internal security architecture and election security management in Nigeria, the IGP equally ordered Commissioners of Police and their respective supervisory Assistant Inspectors-General of Police in the 17 Zonal Commands, to continually engage with the military and other security agencies that are recognized members of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) to solidify the already designed operation order cum deployment strategies emplaced towards the smooth and peaceful conduct of the 2023 General Elections.
