Building Capacity of Nigerian Law Enforcement Explosive Ordinance Management

As the largest economy in Africa, the most populous country on the continent, and an influential political and diplomatic leader in the region, Nigeria is a strategic U.S. partner. The country faces numerous challenges related to terrorism (Boko Haram, Islamic State-West Africa), and transnational organized crime (TOC), including narcotics and human trafficking, corruption, and under-developed criminal justice institutions to meet the needs of a population of 250 million citizens. These conflicts include insurgencies by militant groups in the Niger Delta, the ISIS insurgency in the North-East and Middle Belt, and kidnapping and bandit gangs in the North West and Middle Belt. The Northeast region of Nigeria is currently grappling with significant security challenges, including due to terrorism by ISIS and other groups, and the remnants of unexploded ordnance from the long-standing conflicts. Since 2016, over 2,000 civilians have been affected by these explosive remnants, placing Nigeria among countries with the highest rates of improvised explosive device (IED) incidents globally. Moreover, the Southeast region of Nigeria, still bearing the scars of the Nigerian Civil War (1967-1970), faces the risk of separatist groups potentially utilizing old explosives. Criminal groups also use incendiary devices and other explosives in violent attacks against civilians and government authorities. To combat these challenges, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), with its specialized 1,800-member Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Defense (EOD-CBRN) command, along with the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC)'s 200-member EOD team, are among authorities responsible for ordnance clearance and responding to civilian reports of explosive threats. These units, however, are hindered by several factors, including insufficient ordnance storage infrastructure, standardized training to international standards, and equipment. Problems like improper storage of recovered IEDs and unexploded ordnances (UXOs), non-adherence to international standards, and a gap in expertise due to the retirement of seasoned personnel diminish their operational efficiency. These limitations affect not only the immediate response to explosive threats but also the broader recovery and stabilization efforts in Nigeria.