Nigeria Expands Demining Strategy with Civilian Participation
The Federal Government of Nigeria has unveiled comprehensive plans to significantly broaden the country's demining strategy by actively incorporating youths, retired soldiers, and various civilian groups into operations specifically designed to mitigate the persistent danger posed by improvised explosive devices and anti-personnel mines across the nation.
Official Announcement at National Workshop
This groundbreaking initiative was formally announced on Tuesday, March 24, in Abuja by the Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa, during the National Mine Action Stakeholders Workshop. The minister, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence, Richard Pheelangwah, detailed that the new civilian demining teams would be composed of retired combat engineers, security veterans, medical personnel, and extensively trained youths from local communities.
The teams are strategically expected to work in close collaboration with communities that are most exposed to explosive hazards, particularly in regions affected by prolonged insurgency and post-conflict contamination. This approach aims to reinforce existing security efforts while addressing humanitarian concerns in vulnerable areas.
Civilian Demining Model and Knowledge Transfer
According to Minister Musa, the proposed operational structure creates a practical framework where experienced military professionals can systematically transfer critical technical skills to younger civilian trainees. This pairing of retired combat engineers with young civilians serves a dual purpose: preserving valuable technical expertise and ensuring the long-term sustainability of mine action capacity throughout Nigeria.
"I am pleased to note that the National Mine Action Centre is set to commence demining operations using trained teams drawn from the Nigerian Police Force and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, with substantial support from international partners," Musa stated. "Plans are also actively underway to establish dedicated civilian demining teams, comprising retired military personnel, other security veterans, and civilians, including youths and medical professionals. This innovative model offers an excellent practical scenario for effective knowledge transfer and community engagement."
Addressing Humanitarian and Security Risks
The defence minister issued a stark warning about the ongoing humanitarian threat posed by improvised mines and explosive devices, emphasizing that non-state actors continue to deploy these dangerous items in conflict-affected zones even after active fighting has diminished. He highlighted specific consequences for agricultural communities in the North-East region.
"In several communities in the North-East, farmland that once sustained families are now completely abandoned because they are suspected to be contaminated with explosive devices," Musa explained. "A farmer who simply wishes to cultivate his land may tragically end up triggering an explosive device. This pervasive fear of hidden explosives has forced numerous farmers and families to leave productive land unused, unnecessarily exposing children and civilians to daily risks."
Musa noted that Nigeria's commitment to the international Ottawa Convention directly led to the establishment of the National Mine Action Centre, which now coordinates all humanitarian demining activities and accredits qualified operators throughout the country.
International Support and Operational Readiness
In a goodwill message delivered at the workshop, Edwin Faigmane of the United Nations Mine Action Service reaffirmed strong international backing for Nigeria's expanded demining efforts. "Right now, we have trained a sufficient number of officers with search teams and disposal units from the civil defence and the police forces," Faigmane confirmed. "Once the necessary specialized equipment arrives, we can hopefully commence full-scale operations without delay."
The Nigerian government firmly believes this expanded civilian participation model will substantially strengthen nationwide mine clearance capabilities, enhance victim support systems, and improve risk education programs for communities living with explosive hazards. This comprehensive approach represents a significant shift in how Nigeria addresses the complex challenge of explosive remnants of war while creating employment opportunities and building local capacity.
