Army Creates Awareness For Safeguards Against IEDs In Borno
By Gbenga Akingbule
The Army at weekend says its taking proactive measures to safeguard the public against Iprovised Explosives Devices deployed by suspected Boko Haram terrorists to cause destruction .
The need to create more awareness according to the Army on how the general public can best be protected against IEDs became necessary following the suicide bomb attacks in Gwoza Local Council where over 30 persons were killed .
The Ag. General Officer Commading (GOC) 7 Division Nigerian Army / Commander Sector 1 Joint Task Force, North East Operation Hadin Kai, Brig . Gen AGL Haruna made the disclosure at a One Day Counter Improvised Explosive Devices Awareness Seminar with stakeholders drawn from the Police , Civil Defense and civlians held at the Maimalari Cantonment, in Maiduguri, Borno State.
According to Gen. Haruna , the aim of the seminar is to create awareness on counter IED with a view to highlighting saty tips in public places.
” It is important that the public know what IEDs are , how they are and how they can safely get it out of their sight by calling on agencies responsible for the recovery of the IEDs. We want the public to be able to identify an IED and protect others from getting acros or into dangers.
” If you recall what happened in Gwoza recently, the terrorists used the IEDs to cause the damage they did to lives and properties.”
The GOC revealed that the Military has over the time degraded the Boko Haram terrorists noting that the terrorists groups desperate for publicity hence their suicide bomb attacks on soft targets.
He urged the public to report any suspicious object in any location within the state the to the near security agencies or the traditional ruler.
One of the resource person , Lieutenant KE Odinma revealed that the scope of the Seminar includes; Meaning of IED, The IED Network, Materials used to produce IED, IED/Bomb Recorgnition, Suicide bombing, Actions to be taken on IED/Bomb Explosion and General Security Tips.
Meanwhile the Army has presented 3 soldiers houses in Abuja, the nations capital for their exceptional bravery in the fight against insurgents .
The Chief of Army Staff ( COAS) Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja represented by the Theatre Commander (TC) Maj General Wahidi Shuaibu at dinner to appreciated the soldiers for their commitment to duty and the professionalism .
“I am delighted to host you all here at the Army Officers’ Mess and Suites, in order to show my appreciation to you all for your efforts and commitments in all operations across the North East Theatre, especially during the just concluded dry season operations.
“Your steadfastness and bravery have earned OPHK more commendations from Army Headquarters (AHQ).
“Today also afford us the opportunity to present the offer letters the three benficiaries of three bedroom flat each from the Affordable Housing Ownership Option for All (AHOOA) Soldiers Scheme as means of encouraging all our soldiers to key into this laudable initiative by Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja.
” The AHOOA Soldiers Scheme is a home – grown housing programme meant to ensure that soldiers are able to afford a befitting roof over their heads after a successful service to the nation. The Army Headquarters paid 58.54 percent, while the Theatre Command 41.46 percent.” Gen Shuaibu said .
