Residents of the North-East have been urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious or explosive-like objects to trained security personnel in the region.

Ibrahim Ishaku Balami, the Executive Director of Future Resilience and Development (FRAD) Foundation, advised the residents during an event in Maiduguri to mark the 2025 International Mine Action Awareness Day theme is “A Safe Future Starts Here.” 

Balami emphasized the importance of awareness in safeguarding lives, especially as explosive remnants often remain after armed conflicts.

He said, ”We’re so much concerned because creating this awareness is one of the life saving intervention that we are doing. We all know the dangers of mines. We know how many people have died as a result of the explosive devices. 

“We all know that there is still dangers around. We’ve heard of public transport traveling from one entry to another and stepped on landmines,”he noted.

He revealed that, following recent floods in Maiduguri, some explosive devices were found beneath the Lagos Bridge around Maiduguri Metropolis and other areas, highlighting the urgent need for public sensitization.

He added, “with the recent flooding that happened in Maiduguri during the intervention, we have discovered mines devices under the bridge in the communities because the flood has pushed them down to homes especially areas like Gwange and other that severely affected by floods.”

Balami said with support from the Nigeria Humanitarian Fund (NHF) and other partners, FRAD reached over 70,000 people in Monguno, Bama, and Gwoza, and another 17,000 in Jere, Konduga, Magumeri (Borno), and Bade and Fune (Yobe) through awareness campaigns.

Also, Angela Galu Associate Program officer of United Nation’s Mine Action Services (UNMASS), urged residents to avoid and report any unidentified objects.

She adding, ” They have always played their part and the aid in spreading or making sure that there’s a widespread of explosive governance awareness into local communities, because it is necessary that they are aware of all these things and everything that is involved.

So, our key message to the public, do not touch devices, protect yourself and protect others.”She warned.