Northern Pulse

The Nigerian Army has commenced a seminar aimed at strengthening the capacity of its engineers to counter the growing threat posed by Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) in contemporary security operations.

The seminar, organised by the 41 Engineer Brigade, 1 Division Nigerian Army, was held in Kaduna on Thursday , as part of activities marking the graduation of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) X2 Course 126.

The Commander, Corps of Engineers, Maj.-Gen. S.T. Shafaru, represented by Maj.-Gen. Josiah Attah, said the seminar was part of efforts to equip Nigerian Army engineers with the requisite skills to effectively support ongoing operations across the country.

Shafaru said he had, since assuming office, prioritised the training of Nigerian Army engineer personnel to enhance their capacity to provide effective combat support and sustainable engineering solutions.

According to him, the initiative aligns with his mission of enhancing the adaptability and resilience of the Nigerian Army within a joint and multi-agency environment.

He said newly posted soldiers to the Nigerian Army Corps of Engineers were sent to the Nigerian Army School of Military Engineering for basic combat engineering, field engineering and artisan training.

He added that the training was designed to ensure that every sapper was a complete professional soldier capable of handling delicate and assigned engineering tasks in the field.

The commander said the conduct of the EOD course was aimed at reducing the shortage of EOD specialists while building the capacity of Nigerian Army engineers within available resources.

“Improvised Explosive Devices have become one of the greatest security threats confronting the Nigerian Army in ongoing counter-insurgency operations.

“The widespread use of these devices has complicated military operations and humanitarian activities in conflict-affected areas,” he said.

Shafaru said Nigerian Army engineers continued to play a vital role in countering IED threats through routine clearance operations to detect and remove explosive devices before military convoys and civilians used affected roads.

He said EOD personnel were trained to employ specialised techniques to safely identify, disarm and destroy explosive devices.

The commander added that the Corps regularly collaborated with other security agencies and international partners, including the British Military Assistance Training Team and the German Training and Assistance Group, to improve technical expertise and intelligence sharing.

He said public awareness campaigns and seminars such as the one would encourage stakeholders to report suspicious objects and activities, thereby helping security forces prevent attacks and defeat adversaries.

Shafaru described the seminar as timely, given the increasing incidents of IED attacks across various theatres of operation.

He said the theme of the seminar, “Building Nigerian Army Engineers’ Capacity on Counter-Improvised Explosive Device in Contemporary Security Operations,” was apt and thought-provoking.

He expressed confidence that the resource persons would do justice to the topics selected for discussion.

The commander also disclosed that members of the German Training and Assistance Group had been supporting the participants of the Medium Explosive Ordnance Disposal Course at the Nigerian Army School of Military Engineering.

He appreciated the group for its training support and assured the 41 Engineer Brigade of continued support to achieve its training objectives.

Shafaru said he had directed the modification of facilities at the 41 Engineer Brigade Training School and the provision of additional training aids to enhance realistic training.

In his goodwill message, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 1 Division Nigerian Army and Commander, Sector 1, Operation Fansan Yamma, Maj.-Gen. Abubakar Wase, represented by the Garrison Commander, Brig.-Gen. Anwar Abdullahi, said the seminar provided an opportunity for troops and sister security agencies to exchange ideas on countering IED threats.

Wase said the seminar aligned with the third pillar of the Chief of Army Staff's Command Philosophy, which focused on operational readiness.

He said troops were expected to remain combat-ready, mission-capable and adaptable through continuous mission-oriented training and doctrinal innovation.

According to him, the threat posed by IEDs remains one of the most significant challenges confronting contemporary security operations.

He said the seminar would provide participants with deeper knowledge of the use, employment and configuration of IEDs, as well as response frameworks and the networks that sponsor their deployment.

Wase urged participants to ensure that the knowledge and skills acquired during the seminar were transferred to their respective units and operational theatres.

He commended the Commander, 41 Engineer Brigade, Brig.-Gen. Sheriff Aremu, for the planning and organisation of the seminar.

Earlier, Aremu, in his welcome address, said the seminar was the first of its kind in 1 Division and was organised as part of activities marking the graduation of the EOD X2 Course 126.

He said the course, which commenced on June 12, 2026, had 31 students drawn from units of 41 Engineer Brigade and one personnel from the Nigerian Army School of Military Police within the 1 Division Area of Responsibility.

Aremu said the training was necessitated by the urgent need to build the capacity of Nigerian Army engineers to effectively counter IED threats and support ongoing security operations.

He said the training was particularly significant given the active involvement of 41 Engineer Brigade in Operation FANSAN YAMMA and other subsidiary operations within the division's area of responsibility.

“The training course to counter the emerging threat of Improvised Explosive Devices in the theatre is not only a welcome development but a timely intervention,” he said.

Aremu said the seminar would enhance participants' understanding of the operational, psychological and tactical effects of IED threats, while promoting effective counter-IED measures through lectures, expert presentations and interactive sessions.

He commended the National Counter-Terrorism Centre and other stakeholders for their support toward the training of the participants at the Brigade Training School, Basawa.

He also appreciated the Commander, Corps of Engineers, for his commitment to improving the training of Nigerian Army engineers through the provision of modern training facilities and aids.

Aremu urged the graduating students to demonstrate professionalism and apply the knowledge acquired during the course in the discharge of their duties.

“To the students of Explosive Ordnance Disposal X2 Course 126, you are lucky and privileged to be part of this maiden edition of the course.

“You owe yourself and the Nigerian Army a duty to prove your professionalism from the training endowed on you over the past several weeks. As it is always said, the more is given, much more will be expected,” he said.

The commander disclosed that the graduation ceremony of the EOD X2 Course 126 would be held at the Joint Officers' Mess, Basawa Barracks.

The seminar brought together senior officers, commanders and commandants of Nigerian Army formations and schools, principal staff officers of 1 Division, resource persons and representatives of other security agencies.

The event is expected to strengthen collaboration among security stakeholders and enhance the Nigerian Army's preparedness to detect, manage and defeat IED threats in contemporary security operations.