The Nigeria Police Force has stepped up efforts to curb tragic incidents involving unexploded ordnance (UXO) being mistaken for scrap metal and transported across states.
In a statement on its Facebook page on Sunday, the Force said its Explosives Ordnance Disposal – Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (EOD-CBRN) unit had embarked on a sensitization campaign targeting scrap metal dealers nationwide.
According to the unit, recent incidents have seen unsuspecting scrap collectors pick up UXOs, transport them to other states, and inadvertently trigger fatal explosions, resulting in avoidable loss of lives and property damage.
The sensitization exercise, which is ongoing across several states, aims to educate scrap dealers and collectors on how to identify unexploded ordnance, the dangers of handling them, and the immediate steps to take upon discovery.
Police authorities urged members of the public—particularly those in the scrap metal trade—to remain vigilant, avoid handling suspicious metallic objects, and promptly report discoveries to the nearest police station for safe evacuation by trained personnel.
The Force reiterated its commitment to public safety and assured citizens that it would continue working with communities to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
