BY: NEWS EDITOR
The Borno State Police Command has recovered eight unexploded ordnance (UXO) in Dala and Gwange Areas of Maiduguri.
In a statement on Saturday by ASP Grace Micheal, the command's deputy public relations officer, the recovery effort was made possible by the command's Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team, which responded to distress calls from the affected communities.
According to her, the first distress call was received on November 22, 2024, at about 08: 43AM, regarding unidentified objects suspected to be explosive ordnance seen near a building in Dala-Abuja Talakawa Area, Maiduguri.
She said the EOD team recovered six projectiles and one unexploded mortar bomb from the scene.
'Later that day, at about 01:00PM, the police received another distress call from Gwange Area, reporting an unidentified object suspected to be unexploded ordnance washed ashore in Gwange river bank.
'The EOD team quickly responded and recovered one unexploded hand grenade,' ASP Grace explained.
She added that preliminary investigations revealed that the ordnance were washed ashore by the recent devastating flood incident in the state.
'To prevent similar incidents, members of both communities have been lectured on Explosive Ordnance Risk Awareness (EORE) and safety measures,' the statement added.
Also in the statement, the command reassured the public of its commitment to ensuring public safety and security.
The command advised the public to remain calm and vigilant, and to report any suspicious objects or activities to the police through the emergency contacts: 0806 807 5581, 0802 347 3293.