Nigerian Army has said it would conduct the disposal of unexploded ordinances recovered from the site of the 2002 Ikeja Cantonment Bomb Blast in Owode, Ogun State.
The recovery operations codenamed “EXERCISE CLEAN SWEEP” commenced Tuesday 10 October 2023 and has reached an advance stage, leading to the recovery of various calibres of unexploded ordnances, Director Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu said in a statement.
The released added, “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.”
The Army therefore urged members of the general public, particularly residents of Owode, Ajilete and the environs not panic, but go about their normal and legitimate businesses.
While appealing to farmers and farm owners within and around the perimeters of the Nigerian Army Shooting Range Ajilete, Owode Ogun State to stay clear during the period of the exercise, the Army assures that the sound of the explosion would not raise any security concern.
“The Nigerian Army assures the general public that necessary cautionary measures have been emplaced to guarantee safety of life and property throughout the duration of the exercise”, the statement added.