The Nigerian Army, yesterday, said that it has begun the professional disposal of many unexploded bombs discovered from the ill-fated Ikeja Cantonment Bomb explosions in 2002.
It also asked farmers and agricultural owners to avoid the Nigerian Army Shooting Range Ajilete, Owode Ogun State, during the exercise.
It pleaded with the general public, particularly inhabitants of Owode, Ajilete, and surroundings, not to panic during the disposal, but to go about their routine and lawful operations, as the sound of the explosion would not create any security concerns.
According to Brig Gen Onyema Nwachukwu, Director of Army Public Relations, the ordinances would be carefully disposed of in Owode, Ajilite in Ogun State.
“The clearance of remnants of unexploded ordnances from the site of the 2002 Ikeja Cantonment Bomb Blast commenced on Tuesday, October 10, 2023, in an exercise, codenamed Exercise Clean Sweep.
“The exercise has reached an advanced stage, resulting in the recovery of various calibres of unexploded ordnances, which will have to be professionally and safely disposed.
“In line with the exercise plan, as earlier highlighted during the flag off by the Chief of Army Staff, COAS, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, on October 10, 2023, the Nigerian Army would be conducting disposal of recovered unexploded ordnances at the Nigerian Army Range in Owode, Ajilete, Ogun State on Friday, October 27, 2023, from 10 am to 4 pm.
“Accordingly, there would be movement of unexploded ordnances from Ikeja Cantonment to Nigerian Army Shooting Range, Owode, Ajilete, in Ogun State.
“The detonation of the explosives would produce loud bang that would be heard from far and near during the exercise,” he said.
cc: Vanguard Ng
