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The training for 60 Nigeria police anti-bomb officers by the U.S. for one month has ended in Lagos.
Police officers drawn from different commands in the country that were trained in four sessions of 15 participants each as Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) mentors,yesterday received their certificate.
The training was facilitated by the American Embassy in Nigeria through the office of Anti-Terrorism Assistant (ATA) programme in conjunction with the Nigeria Police Force.
Declaring the training closed, the Inspector-General of Police (I-G), Mr Ibrahim Idris ably represented by Deputy Inspector General of Police, DIG Joshak Habila said the officers were to be the trainers of other officers in their various commands.
On behalf of the IGP,DIG Operations, Mr Joshak Habila, assured Nigerians that with the number of the trained officers, there would be no vacuum in states and communities the military were leaving in North East.
“The training was designed to expose participants to current trends in rendering safe/disposal of Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) and Unexploded Ordnance (UXOs) through the application of EOD standard, practice and technique.
“Participants were taken on overview of recent threat particularly in Nigeria and by extension the Africa. Bomb threat assessment/tactical operations, IED electronic review, post blast investigation overview.
“They were also trained in chemical biological radiological nuclear awareness, team organization radiation concepts/decontamination remote operations review and rope knotting.
“Bomb squad response equipment and maintenance. The beneficiaries are expected to impart the knowledge acquired to other bomb technicians across the country in order to enhance EOD service delivery,” he said.
Idris expressed gratitude to the U.S. Consul General in Nigeria, the region security officer, US Embassy in Abuja and the facilitators for the training.
Also speaking, the Regional Security Officer, US Embassy, Mr Scoitie Blancett said they were Happy to offer the training to Nigeria police, stressing that he believes that the effects of the training would be safety for people in the country.
One of the facilitators, Mr JonDe Martino advised the participants to observed all that they were instructed, particularly, their own safety before saving others.
Earlier, the commissioner in charged of Anti-Bomb, Mr Chika Maidama described the training as precise and rich in outline, noting that it has refreshed and updated the technicians with EOD skills.
“I assure you all that the knowledge and skills acquired by the participants during this course, will be disseminated in our future local training as well as day-to-day activities/operations.
“To the trainees/EOD operatives, remember that you must be alive and safe to help,” he advised.
