Nigeria to Recruit Civilians for Demining Operations
Why this is here: The government plans to establish civilian demining teams that pair retired combat engineers with young trainees, fostering both expertise and community trust in areas impacted by explosives.
The Federal Government of Nigeria will include youths, retired soldiers, and civilians in demining operations nationwide. The initiative aims to address the threat of improvised explosive devices and anti-personnel mines, especially in areas affected by insurgency.
The Minister of Defence announced plans for civilian demining teams. These teams will combine retired combat engineers, security veterans, medical staff, and trained young people. This model intends to transfer knowledge from experienced military personnel to civilian trainees.
The National Mine Action Centre will coordinate these efforts and ensure quality control. The UN Mine Action Service, with support from the British and Japanese governments, has already trained police and civil defense personnel for explosive ordnance disposal. Abandoned farmlands in the North-East, feared to be contaminated, pose a risk to farmers and children.