Esther Oseyiomon
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF), in collaboration with the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Unit of the Nigeria Police Force in Bauchi State, has intensified efforts to strengthen counter-IED warfare capabilities through specialised training for Special Forces personnel.
The exercise, conducted at the Nigerian Air Force Regiment Training Centre Annex (RTCA) in Bauchi, focused on enhancing the ability of trainees on Special Forces Course 13/2026 to detect, identify, and respond to Improvised Explosive Device (IED) threats in complex operational environments.
The training forms part of ongoing efforts by the Nigerian Air Force to improve force protection, operational readiness, and mission effectiveness amid evolving security challenges across the country.
Speaking during the exercise, the Commandant of RTCA Bauchi, Squadron Leader Lawrence Akpan, said the initiative aligns with the Centre’s mandate to produce resilient and combat-ready special forces personnel capable of operating effectively in volatile and high-risk environments.
He stressed that modern security operations require personnel to possess practical knowledge of explosive threats and the tactical skills needed to neutralise them during field operations.
According to him, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, has continued to prioritise realistic and mission-oriented training to ensure NAF personnel remain operationally effective in counterterrorism and other special operations.
The practical sessions exposed trainees to different forms of IEDs, threat indicators, and safety procedures commonly encountered during military operations.
Personnel of the Nigeria Police Force EOD Unit also conducted live demonstrations on the detonation mechanisms of pressure plate IEDs, while explaining the functions of key explosive components, including initiators, power sources, switch mechanisms, charges, and containers.
The exercise provided participants with hands-on operational insight into the construction and deployment methods of explosive devices frequently used by insurgents and other criminal groups.
Security experts at the training noted that IEDs remain one of the deadliest threats in asymmetric warfare, making specialised counter-IED knowledge critical for frontline personnel operating in conflict zones.
The collaboration between the Nigerian Air Force and the Police EOD Unit further highlighted the growing emphasis on inter-agency cooperation in addressing terrorism, insurgency, and other emerging security threats.
The NAF maintained that strengthening specialised warfare capabilities through joint training and operational synergy remains essential to sustaining military effectiveness and protecting personnel during operations nationwide.