Nigeria to Engage Youths, Retired Soldiers in Demining Efforts

The Nigerian government, through the Ministry of Defence, announced a plan to involve youths and retired military personnel in operations aimed at tackling the threat posed by improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and anti-personnel mines across the country. Gen. Christoph Musa (retd) disclosed this initiative during a mine action stakeholder workshop in Abuja.

The plan includes forming civilian demining teams comprising retired combat engineers, security veterans, and trained youths to clear contaminated areas and support affected communities. This model is designed to facilitate knowledge transfer from experienced military personnel to younger civilians, fostering trust within communities.

The National Mine Action Centre (NMAC) is set to commence demining operations using trained teams drawn from the Nigerian Police Force and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Force, with support from international partners. The initiative is part of ongoing efforts to address explosive hazards, particularly in insurgency-affected areas, where non-state actors continue to deploy IEDs, endangering lives and livelihoods.