GOC 7 Division call on stakeholders to join forces with the military to eradicate threat of IEDs

The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 7 Division and Commander Sector 1 Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) Brigadier General Abubakar Haruna has called on all critical stakeholders in the entire Maiduguri Metropolitan Council and other neighboring communities to collaborate with the military in defeating the menace of Improvised Explosive Device (IED).

The GOC made the call on Friday, 19 July 2024 during the A - One Day Counter Improvised Explosive Device awareness seminar organized for critical stakeholders at the Theatre Command Officers Mess in Maimalari Military Cantonment Maiduguri.

According to the GOC who doubles as the Special Guest of Honour during the event , he said the "seminar is organized to place significant emphasis on addressing the threat posed by IEDs, which remain the primary weapon employed by insurgents which becomes pertinent to leave no stone unturned and become more ingenious in defeating this menace. Stressing that the seminar becomes necessary to reawaken the security consciousness of the public and to deny the highly degraded terrorists freedom of action as they resorted to desperate measures of using Vehicle Bound Improvised Explosive Devices and Person Bound Improvised Explosive Devices on soft targets".

He therefore reiterated that their contribution to this seminar will not only enhance the security landscape within Maiduguri but also inspire confidence and trust among the populace. He thereafter urged the participants and other key stakeholders to give fruitful deliberations by making contributions, clearing doubts, and organizing mini-lectures for other members of their various agencies and unions.

The GOC commended the Commander 47 Engineer Brigade, Brigadier General Abdul-Razak Kazeem for birthing the initiative to organize the awareness seminar which he considered a necessity at a time like this. A series of lectures were presented by experts in the field ranging from the meaning of IED, IED networking, IED making, materials, IEDs/bomb recognition, and suicide bombing.

Participants during the seminar include troops of 7 Division, NPF EOD Squadron, representatives from the Borno State Ministry of Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Resettlement, National Union of Road Transport Workers, Nigerian Auto Mobile Technician Association, Monday Market Union, Tricycle and Motorcycle Owners Association and residents within the metropolis as well as troops of OPHK.