On Friday, the UK government donated advanced counter-improvised explosive devices to Operation Hadin Kai Theatre Command Joint Task Force in Maiduguri.

The donation of the equipment marks another milestone in the strategic partnership between the UK and the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Counter-IED equipment are created primarily for military and law enforcement.

The equipment was handed over to Maj.-Gen. Waidi Shuaibu, the Theatre Commander, by the representatives of the British Defence Staff West Africa in the presence of very senior officers from the Nigerian Army in Maiduguri.

The UK Defence Attaché to Nigeria, Col. Matt Lynch, reiterated the UK government’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s military in the fight against terrorism, especially in the North-East.

Mr Lynch said that the devices being donated were highly technical, non-lethal military equipment meant to complement the efforts of the Nigerian military in countering all forms of IED ambushes while in operations.

The defence attaché said that the new equipment includes specialised IED detectors and tools designed for identifying and safely nneutralising explosives hreats.

Also speaking, the 47 Engineer Brigade Commander, Brig.-Gen. Abdulrazak Kazeem highlighted the importance of the donation.

He described the donation as “timely,” given recent developments in counter-IEDs operations in the region.

Mr Kazeem said the equipment covered the full spectrum of IEDs countermeasures and would support operational and training efforts.

Mr Kazeem said that some of these tools were designated for the training school, helping to ensure our personnel were well-prepared and our strategy remained effective across all phases of counter-IEDs operations.

Mr Waidi expressed happiness over the UK’s ongoing support, which included training for Nigerian Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) operators and the development of a counter-IEDs coordination cell at the 47 Engineer Brigade.

Mr Waidi said that the initiatives demonstrated the British government’s commitment to complete neneutralisation of IEDS threats and support their mission to restore stability in the North-East.

He said that the equipment donated will enhance the troops’ capacity to mitigate IED threats in the theatre of operations.

(NAN)