The United States (US) donated equipment worth $2 million to the Explosive Ordinance Disposal and Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (EOD-CBRN) Command, Lagos of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF). This was made known in a statement which disclosed that the equipment was presented on Friday by the US Department of Energy’s Office of Nuclear Smuggling Detection and Deterrence.
The statement said the equipment would help the Nigerian government to curtail the smuggling of nuclear and radioactive materials into and within Nigeria.
The statement reads in part, “The United States Government remains committed to helping Nigeria in tackling all forms of insecurity and we are ready to help in any kind of way.
“Smuggling of nuclear and radiological material is a concern for national security for not just the US but for every country in the world; so that is one of the reasons that informed this donation.”
According to the statement, 40 police personnel underwent two-week training on the operation and maintenance of the donated equipment.
The equipment includes five mobile detection system operators, three radioisotope identification devices, three packs of eye backpacks, radiation detectors, amongst others.