Security operatives in Borno State on Sunday averted a potential tragedy after successfully defusing an unexploded Improvised Explosive Device (IED) discovered on a farmland in Dikwa Local Government Area.
The device, identified as a 2.2-metre-long cluster bomb, was partially buried in the soil when it was spotted by farmers who immediately alerted security agencies. Acting swiftly, the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit of the Borno State Police Command was deployed to the scene.
Police spokesperson in the state confirmed that the bomb was safely detonated under controlled conditions without causing any harm to residents or damage to property.
“The device was rendered safe by our EOD team through a controlled detonation. No casualties were recorded, and the area has been declared safe for farming activities,” the statement read.
Authorities commended the vigilance of locals for promptly reporting the suspicious object, stressing that such cooperation remains critical in combating insurgency threats in the region.
Residents have been urged to remain alert and report any strange or metallic objects found on farmlands, roadsides, or residential areas, as remnants of explosive devices planted during years of Boko Haram insurgency still pose a lingering risk.
Dikwa, one of the communities badly affected by insurgent activities in past years, has seen gradual returns of displaced persons and farming activities, making the discovery of the unexploded device a reminder of the dangers posed by remnants of war.
Security analysts have also pointed out the need for continuous clearance operations, not only by police EOD teams but in collaboration with the military and humanitarian mine action groups, to ensure safe resettlement and uninterrupted farming—the mainstay of livelihood in the area.
The police assured that intensified patrols and routine checks would continue across Borno State to protect communities and prevent similar incidents in the future.
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