BY: HADIZA IBRAHIM NGULDE, MARCH 21, 2025/ 12:00AM
The international committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has conducted a one day training on weapon contamination and risk awareness for journalists in Maiduguri, Borno State.
The training which was carried out on Thursday, March 20, is aimed at educating journalists from various media organizations in Maiduguri regarding the dangers of unexploded and abandoned explosives ordnance.
According to the ICRC, Nigeria has recorded a total of 305 incidence with 267 coming from the North Eastern states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa as at 2024.
While these incidents have resulted in casualties across age groups and genders, women and girls who are often unsuspecting form 7% of the casualties in affected areas.
During the session, ICRC’s weapon contamination field manager, Akila Bulus highlighted some of the categories of the explosive remnants of war (ERW) and improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
He also shared some safe behaviors that can be adopted by journalists while working in the field in order to reduce exposure to risk and protection of personel.
'It is very important to be cautious in your environment, be vigilant by staying on well used roads and do not wander into unknown areas,' he said.
Despite physical threats posed by weapon contamination there is also risk of socioeconomic and psychological damage to victims, including women and children in conflict areas.
The training ended with a brainstorming session on ways to further propagate weapon contamination awareness among the populace through a synergy between the ICRC and media organizations.