The Nigeria Police have received mobile detection system operators from the United States Government with a view to strengthening the capacity to stabilise security in the country.
The $2 million equipment were received by Commissioner of Police in charge of Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear EOD-CBRN Command of the Nigeria Police Force, Friday , in Ikeja, Lagos.
The U.S. Department of Energy/National Nuclear Security Administration, through its Office of Nuclear Smuggling Detection and Deterrence (NSDD) which presented the equipment said they comprised of five MDS vans, three radioisotope identification devices, three pack eye back pack radiation detectors, three survey metres, seven censor technology radiation pagers, including maintainnace and parts kits.
The U.S. Consulate Assistant Regional Security Officer , Jon Dvorak said:” Nigeria remains one of the United States’ key partners in combating the smuggling of illicit nuclear and radioactive material. Nigeria stands tall not only in Africa, but globally, in its commitment to prevent the trafficking and use of materials that pose a threat to health and safety”.
He said that 30 police officers of the EOD- CBRN were trained for two weeks on how to operate the detection equipment, in order to have the skills to combat the smuggling of nuclear and radioactive material.
Additional 10 officers according to him, were trained on the maintenance of the donated equipment.
Dvorak explained that the equipment and associated trainings would enhance the police ability to interdict the smuggling of nuclear and radioactive material into and within Nigeria.
He added that, “the mission of U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Nuclear Smuggling Detection and Deterrence is to build global capability to detect, disrupt, and investigate the smuggling of nuclear and radioactive material before it can be used in an act of terrorism. The office partners with over 100 agencies in more than 70 countries around the world.
“The equipment donation is part of a close and continuous bilateral partnership between the United States and Nigeria that has existed for decades to strengthen security ties and promote regional security. U.S. law enforcement programming focuses on building partner capacity, strengthening strategic relationships, and bolstering Nigeria’s security capabilities”.
In his acceptance remark, Commissioner of Police , EOD-CBRN Command, CP Zannah Shettima, said the training of the 30 policemen on operators training and additional 10 on mainatiance of the the mobile detection devices was impactful,” the essence of these trainings for operators and the maintenance of mobile detection systems is part of our initiatives at ensuring that our officers and men are fully abreast with the current technological innovations in the detection of Radioactive and Nuclear materials. This would further boost and develope our capacity in combating terrorism through the operations of mobile detection systems as well as being able to basically maintain the equipment for effective service delivery to detect illicit trafficked materials and respond to Nuclear or Radiological emergencies.
The US Government has been of great assistance to security agencies, especially the Nigeria police. Two years ago,US donated some equipment including vehicles to the Anti Bomb section of the police.
