The Nigerian Army has announced that it is scaling up training, intelligence support and technology acquisitions to better confront improvised explosive device (IED) threats and improve combat engineering operations nationwide.
Major General Shamsideen Shafarau, Commander of the Corps of Engineers (CCE), revealed the development on Tuesday at the opening of the Corps’ fourth-quarter conference held at the Nigerian Army School of Military Engineering (NASME) in Makurdi.
He said the Corps has intensified training in explosive ordnance disposal and counter-IED techniques to build greater professionalism and technical expertise among personnel. New specialist collaborations are central to that effort, he noted.
“We have entered a partnership with Sambus Geospatial Limited to train officers in ArcGIS Pro, equipping survey and GIS experts with advanced analytical skills,” Shafarau disclosed. He added that cooperation with the British Military Assistance Training Team has strengthened forensic investigation capacity, resulting in the establishment of a counter-IED forensic coordination facility at 47 Engineer Brigade.
The Corps is also exploring joint initiatives with Germany’s Training Assistance Group, while a new rulebook governing IED response procedures is being reviewed at Army Headquarters.
To modernise army engineering education, Shafarau confirmed that a committee has been established to review training standards, update curricula and raise training quality in line with global practices.
The Corps has also recorded infrastructure milestones, including the completion of the Nigerian Army Mess and Suites in Ibadan and ongoing construction of a 168-metre concrete bridge across River Aloma.
He acknowledged the Chief of Army Staff’s role in equipping engineering units and revealed plans to acquire Skyfront Perimeter 8 drone systems, multi-sensor scanners and specialised explosive accessories to further enhance EOD and counter-IED operations.
The five-day event began on Monday and will conclude on Friday.
