The Chief of Army Staff, Nigerian Army (COAS), Lt Gen Taoreed Lagbaja will this morning hold a press briefing to flag off EXERCISE CLEAN SWEEP by 10 am at the 9 Brigade Officers’ Mess, Ikeja Cantonment.
The exercise is to clear the remnants of the unexploded Ordnances from the 2002 Ikeja Cantonment Bomb Blast which would be evacuated for detonation at the Nigerian Army Range at Ajilete in Ogun State within the next 60 days.
The blast on 27 January 2002, sent a huge wave of panic across Lagos.
It was learnt that the aftermath of the incident necessitated immediate clearance operations by the Nigerian Army (NA) which was done in accordance with global best practices.
In a statement by the Assistant Director, 9 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Major Kolawole Augustine Bello said in Lagos that “As a result of the clearance operations tagged “Exercise Clean Sweep”, the NA recovered and disposed bulk of the Unexploded Ordnances (UXOs) at the site which has ensured safe and secured habitation of the cantonment and environs.
“However, the recent discovery of UXOs around the site and the need to totally disinfect the epicenter for future productive use by the NA, has necessitated further UXO clearance operation.”
Bello, the liaison officer for the operation further revealed that the NA will be conducting the clearance exercise at the Ikeja Cantonment Bomb site from 10 October 2023 which is proposed to last for 60 days.
“The clearance operation tagged EXERCISE CLEAN SWEEP will involve mobilization of plants and equipment as well as movement/disposal of recovered UXOs from Ikeja Cantonment to Nigerian Army range at Ajilete in Ogun State at different times within period of the Exercise.
He observed that as a result, the need for adequate awareness and notification of the citizenry through print, electronic, and social media becomes necessary to avert panic within and around operation areas.
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