The Anti-bomb Unit of the Plateau Police Command on Wednesday in Jos destroyed 140 Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) recovered from failed bomb attempts.
The unit Commander, Mr Abel Mbibi, who supervised the destruction exercise, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the bombs did not explode before they were discovered and defused by men of the unit in Jos and parts of Bauchi State.
Mbibi stated that the IEDs, which were recovered over time, were kept for public awareness purposes and identification by sister security agencies.
"The idea is to educate sister agencies to help them in identify IEDs because they take various forms and shapes," he explained.
The unit commander said that 90 per cent of the enlightment on the bombs had been achieved and that there was need to destroy the IEDs as some had started deteriorating
According to him, the IEDs being destroyed are homemade and refined grenades, unexploded military stores (another type of explosive), compressors, gas cylinders and cone iron pipes.
"Also here are some devices manufactured inside vegetable tins, plastic cans, coca cola tins and several others in different shapes," he added.
Mbibi said the destruction of the IEDs was a routine exercise, aimed at saving the society from their harmful effects.
To ensure the safety of people around the Quarry area in Zaramaganda, Jos, where the exercise was carried out, he said that the unit gave several days notice, advising people to steer clear of the vicinity between 6:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
"We took time to ensure that nobody was anywhere close to the quarry to avoid any casualty as a result of the blast," he said.
Mbibi assured members of the public that the unit would not rest on its oars toward ensuring a bomb-free society.
He called on the public to always assist the police and other security agencies with useful information that would lead to the recovery of bombs before they exploded. (NAN)
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