Army Diffuses 642 Unexploded Bombs Recovered From Ikeja Cantonment

The Nigerian Army has disposed of a total of 642 unexploded bombs recovered from the Ikeja Military Cantonment.

The Army disclosed this in a statement signed by its Director of Public Relations, Brig. Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, on Thursday.

Nwachukwu said, the final disposal of the unexploded bombs will occur on November 18, at the Nigerian Army Range in Owode Ajilete, Ogun State.

The Army had commenced the clearance of remnants of unexploded ordnances from the site of the 2002 Ikeja Cantonment Bomb blast on October 10, under an operation codenamed, ‘Exercise Clean Sweep’.

According to the Army, “The exercise has reached an advanced stage resulting in the recovery of various calibers of unexploded ordnances, out of which 642 of them were professionally disposed of on October 27, 2023, at the NA Range in Owode Ajilete.

“The search and recovery phase of the exercise has been completed and has now dovetailed into the final inspection of the site, which has earnestly commenced.

“In line with the exercise plan, as highlighted during the inauguration press briefing and flag-off by the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, on October 10, 2023, a final unexploded ordnance disposal task will be conducted on completion of the site inspection on Saturday, November 18, 2023, at the Nigerian Army Range in Owode Ajilete, Ogun State.

“Accordingly, there would be a movement of UXOs from Ikeja Cantonment to NA Range, Owode Ajilete. There would also be large sounds accompanying the detonation exercise.”
He noted the sound of explosions would be heard around the area, urging residents not to panic.

“Consequently, members of the general public, especially those resident around Owode, Ajilete, and the environs are urged to please, not panic on hearing the sound of explosions, but go about their normal businesses, as necessary safety measures have been placed to ensure the safety of life and property throughout the exercise”.