In an operation titled “EXERCISE CLEAN SWEEP,” the Nigerian Army has initiated the clearance of residual unexploded ordnances stemming from the 2002 Ikeja Cantonment Bomb Blast.
In an official statement, Director Army Public Relations Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu said this crucial operation, which commenced on Tuesday, October 10, 2023, has now progressed to an advanced stage, resulting in the recovery of various calibers of unexploded ordnances necessitating professional and secure disposal.
As previously outlined during the inauguration press briefing and Flag Off ceremony led by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, on October 10, 2023, the Nigerian Army is scheduled to conduct the disposal of the recovered unexploded ordnances at the Nigerian Army Range located in Owode, Ajilete, Ogun State. This disposal operation is slated to take place on Friday, October 27, 2023, commencing at 10:00 AM and concluding at 4:00 PM.
In accordance with the exercise plan, there will be a transfer of the unexploded ordnances from Ikeja Cantonment to the Nigerian Army Shooting Range in Owode, Ajilete, Ogun State. It is essential to note that the detonation of these explosives will produce a loud bang, audible from a considerable distance during the exercise.
The Nigerian Army kindly urges members of the general public, especially residents of Owode, Ajilete, and its vicinity, to remain calm and continue their regular, lawful activities, as the sound of the explosions will not pose any security threat. A specific appeal is directed towards farmers and landowners situated within and around the perimeters of the Nigerian Army Shooting Range in Ajilete, Owode, Ogun State, requesting them to avoid the area during the exercise period.
The Nigerian Army assures the general public that all necessary precautionary measures have been meticulously established to ensure the safety of life and property throughout the duration of this essential exercise.
