KEY POINTS

• Borno police launch first regional EOD training school.
• School includes advanced EOD tools, solar power, and 60-bed hostel.
• UN and Lake Chad Basin Framework support center establishment.

The Borno State police command has set up an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) training school for officers in Maiduguri on Tuesday, a move that has helped to enhance security and policing in the state.

Through its Deputy Commissioner Ahmed Bello, the Commissioner of Police highlighted that the school is useful as it provides would be officers with the tools needed to manage explosives threats.

Improving public safety through specialized training

At the opening ceremony, Bello highlighted the vital role of the new EOD training center, the first in the region, designed to train officers to defuse explosive devices—a skill urgently needed in Borno State, where explosions have been a frequent threat.

Bello stressed the importance of diligent maintenance and use of the facility, cautioning against neglect.

“This center will help our officers learn to neutralize explosive threats better,” Bello stated, expressing appreciation for the support from international partners, including the United Nations, which facilitated the school’s creation through the Lake Chad Basin Support Framework.

Advanced training facility equipped for comprehensive learning

Strategically located in a region that has experienced years of insurgent violence, the training school includes essential resources for effective EOD training.

According to Punch, the facility features a water supply, solar-powered energy, air conditioning, modern EOD equipment, and a 60-bed hostel.

Edwin Faidmane from the UN Mine Action Service highlighted Borno’s selection as the location for this facility, noting its experience with insurgent attacks involving explosives.

Faidmane highlighted Borno’s history with explosive incidents, emphasizing that this center will improve local safety. He also invited other organizations to use the facility to bolster regional security.

A collaborative approach to regional stability

As the Senior Military Advisor of the Lake Chad Basin Support Framework, Roger Fawcus noted that the training center is pivotal to the region’s security.

He emphasized how the school could enhance officer capacity in managing explosive threats, ensuring safer regions in Borno and the neighboring areas.

Therefore, increased local capacity will be an element of facility stability and less vulnerability to explosion hazards.