Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Abuja, Nigeria — In a major security and humanitarian initiative, the Federal Government has announced plans to establish specialised civilian demining teams to address the persistent threat of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and anti-personnel mines across the country. The announcement was made by the Minister of Defence, retired General Christopher Musa, on Tuesday during the National Mine Action Stakeholders Workshop held in Abuja, where government officials, security experts, humanitarian organisations, and international partners convened to discuss strategies for national mine action and explosive hazard management.
The civilian demining teams will include retired military personnel, other security veterans, as well as trained civilians, including youths and medical professionals. This marks a shift from traditional clearance operations, which have typically relied solely on military engineers. By integrating experienced veterans with civilians, the government aims to enhance technical capacity while fostering trust and cooperation within affected communities.
General Musa explained that retired combat engineers and security veterans will work directly with civilian trainees to transfer essential skills for detecting, marking, and neutralising explosive hazards. Medical professionals and youth volunteers will assist with victim support, risk awareness campaigns, and logistical operations. The model is designed to ensure sustainability of expertise and strengthen community engagement in demining efforts.
The workshop also provided a platform to develop a draft mine action bill and establish national measures aligned with Nigeria’s obligations under the Ottawa Convention on the Prohibition of Anti-Personnel Mines. The legislation is expected to provide stronger legal and institutional frameworks for clearance operations, risk education, victim assistance, and coordination across government and civil society, while formally recognising the role of civilian demining teams.
General Musa emphasised the humanitarian urgency of the initiative, highlighting that IEDs and other explosive hazards continue to pose a significant threat to civilians, particularly in areas formerly affected by insurgency and armed conflict. These devices have caused injuries and fatalities, prevented the safe use of farmland, restricted community resettlement, and disrupted local economic activities. The minister stressed that educating communities about risks and proper response procedures is vital for the success of clearance operations and the protection of lives.
Nigeria’s current mine action efforts are coordinated by the National Mine Action Centre, which oversees clearance operations, quality assurance, standard procedures, planning, and community risk education. The Centre collaborates with international partners, including the United Nations Mine Action Service, to build clearance capacity and deliver training to security forces in search techniques and explosive ordnance disposal.
Non-state armed groups in the northeast have historically deployed IEDs and other explosives, resulting in civilian casualties and contaminated land. The new civilian-inclusive model is expected to improve reporting of hazardous areas, enhance community trust, and increase the effectiveness of clearance operations.
The draft mine action bill is intended to provide legal authority for civilian engagement, formalise training and accreditation standards, and establish a national strategy for addressing explosive hazards. It will strengthen the authority of the National Mine Action Centre and related agencies, enabling more effective coordination and funding of mine action initiatives.
The inclusion of civilians in demining efforts reflects a broader trend in post-conflict recovery, recognising that explosive threats are not only a military issue but also a social, economic, and development challenge. By involving veterans, professionals, and youth volunteers, the government aims to reclaim contaminated land, protect vulnerable populations, and restore community safety and normalcy.
As the Federal Government advances this programme, it represents a comprehensive and inclusive approach to mine action, combining technical expertise with community engagement to mitigate the devastating impact of explosive hazards across Nigeria.
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