As part of efforts of the Federal Government to check the negative trend of Terrorists’ employment of Improvised Explosive Devises (IEDs) and other illicit uses of explosives and related accessories in Nigeria, the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) conveyed a one-day Stakeholders’ meeting in Abuja on 21 February, 2024.

The meeting which was attended by stakeholders from Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, Civil Explosives Dealers Association of Nigeria, Cement Manufacturers Association of Nigeria, Consolidated Quarries Association, Ebonyi State; Defence Headquarters, Nigeria Police Force, NCTC-ONSA, etc, reviewed among others, the recent explosion incident involving illegal storage of explosive devices in Ibadan, Oyo State, on 16 January, 2024.

While welcoming participants to the meeting on behalf of the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, the National Coordinator, NCTC-ONSA, Rear Admiral YEM Musa (rtd), stated that the Government was not unaware of the illicit activities of those who wanted to cause havoc in the society and would leave no stone on turned to stop them.

Also in his remarks, the representative of the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dele Alake, Engr. Ganiyu Imam called for the need to strengthen synergy between the security agencies and the Ministry so as to safeguard the use of explosives in the country.