Oct. 24, 2023

The Nigerian Army will dispose recovered Unexploded Ordnances from the 2002 Ikeja Cantonment Bomb Blast site, at the Army Range, Owode Ajilete in Ogun, an official has stated.

A statement on Tuesday by the 81 Division, Nigerian Army Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, Lt.-Col. Olabisi Ayeni, said the disposal would be conducted on Oct. 27.

Ayeni recalled that the clearance of remnants of unexploded ordnances from the site of the 2002 Ikeja Cantonment Bomb Blast began on Oct. 10 in an Exercise codenamed ”EXERCISE CLEAN SWEEP”.

He said that the exercise had reached an advanced stage resulting in the recovery of various calibre of unexploded ordnances, which would have to be professionally disposed.

He stated that the exercise would be conducted in line with the plan highlighted during its flag-off by the Chief Of Army Staff (COAS) Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja on Oct. 10.

”The Nigerian Army will be conducting disposal of recovered Unexploded Ordnances at the Nigerian Army Range in Owode Ajilete Ogun State on Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

”Accordingly, there will be movement of the Unexploded Ordnances from Ikeja Cantonment to NA Range, Owode Ajilete in Ogun State,”Ayeni stated.

He said that there would also be large sounds that would be heard during the exercise which he said were in line with the disposal routine.

“Consequently, members of the general public especially those who reside around Owode Ajilete and the environs are not to panic.

“They are to go about their normal respective businesses as the sounds of the explosion will not raise any security concern,” the 81 Div spokesperson said.

He assured the general public that necessary safety measures had been put in place to ensure safety of life and property throughout the duration of the exercise.