FGN urged to prioritize Mine Action Centre as IED attacks kill 755, injure 1,321 in six years

The United Nations Mine Action Services (UNMAS), in collaboration with the Centre for Social Cohesion Peace and Empowerment (CENSCOPE), has urged the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) to expedite the establishment of a centre for Mine Action to enable the body to coordinate its activities in the country.

To this end, the two bodies noted that no fewer than 755 civilians have been killed by Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), while 1,321 others sustained various degrees of injuries in the past six years in the North-East.

The National Coordinator of the National Humanitarian Mine Action Committee, Group Captain Sadeeq Garba Shehu (rtd), stated this yesterday in Maiduguri during this year’s commemoration of International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance for Mine Action with the theme: “Mine Action Cannot Wait.”

He said insecurity in the North East, although greatly reduced, still remains a big challenge to returning populations as it limits access to arable land for agricultural production.

He said, according to the UN Mine Action Service (UNMAS), “Since 2016, 755 civilians have been killed and 1,321 injured by explosive ordnance – an average rate of more than one civilian every day. Civilians continue to be the main targets of attacks involving person-borne improvised explosive devices. Nigeria recorded the second-highest number of improvised explosive device (IED) incidents globally over the past three years, with 619 casualties.

“Many areas remain contaminated with unexploded ordnance and will require mine risk/demining services to ensure safe access to farmland for agricultural activities. The presence of different types of Explosive Ordnances (EO) prevents safe access to agricultural land essential for food security, restricts freedom of movement critical for protection, and hinders early recovery.”

The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management, and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Faruq, represented by the Director of Humanitarian Affairs, Grema Alhaji Kadi, expressed the federal government’s concern about ensuring success in getting all communities that have suffered insurgency rid of explosive devices.

He commended the efforts of international organizations in the fight against landmines and other explosive devices, as well as providing necessary assistance to curtail the proliferation of landmines.

Earlier, the Executive Director of CENSCOPE, Abubakar Abdullahi Suleiman, said the call for the federal government to establish the Humanitarian Mine Action Centre becomes necessary to ensure that the victims of landmines and explosive devices get the attention they deserve.

He said that if the centre is fully inaugurated, they would create awareness about the dangers of landmines and other explosive devices and provide necessary assistance to eradicate them.

He further called for the concerted efforts of all partners in the Mine Action Centre, considering the good work being done by them.

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