The Nigerian Army is to commence the clearance of remnants of unexploded ordnances from the site of the 2002 Ikeja Cantonment Bomb Blast on Tuesday 10 October this year in an Exercise codenamed ‘EXERCISE CLEAN SWEEP’.
This was contained in a statement made available to Defence Correspondents in Abuja on Wednesday by Director of Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu
According to the statement, “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 inauguration press briefing and flag off by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja on 10 October 2023, the Nigerian Army would be conducting disposal of recovered unexploded ordnances at the Nigerian Army Range in Owode, Ajilete, Ogun State on Friday 27 October 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.”
It advised that “consequently, members of the general public, particularly residents of Owode, Ajilete and the environs are enjoined to not panic, but go about their normal and legitimate businesses, as the sound of the explosion would not raise any security concern.
“Particular appeal goes to farmers and farm owners within and around the perimeters of the Nigerian Army Shooting Range Ajilete, Owode Ogun State, to please stay clear during the period of the exercise,” it added
The Nigerian Army assured the general public that necessary cautionary measures have been emplaced to guarantee safety of life and property throughout the duration of the exercise.
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