Security
Resettlement: ICRC Trains Journalists In Borno On Weapon Contamination
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Resettlement: ICRC trains journalists in Borno on weapon contamination
By Madu Mohammed,, Maiduguri
As displaced communities returned to their ancestral homes after over a decade long insurgency, the International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC has trained journalists in Borno on weapon contamination to address the increasing number of IEDs attacks on the returnees.
The training was aimed at enlightening journalists on the dangers posed by remnants of explosive ordinance following the war and also seeks to educate media professionals on risk awareness and safe reporting practices to enhance public awareness on weapon contamination.
In his presentation on weapon contamination,,at the ICRC office, Maiduguri, yesterday, ICRC field Manager on weapon contamination, Mr. Bulus Akila said the training became necessary due to the increasing cases of anti person and vehicles Improvised Explosive Devices attack in the state and the Northeast.
“The 2024 statistics indicates that a total of 986 cases of IED attacks recorded , nationwide, 849 cases in the Northeast , while 525 cases or casualties in Borno which tripled the 2023 figure of 300 cases”,.he said.
He said as people return to their communities, there are many cases of unexploded and abandoned IEDs across the state and called on the media to enlighten the people on opon contamination, signs, symptoms, marked areas and the dangers they poises.
Akila said equipping journalists with the necessary knowledge, will promote responsible reportage that can drive government and stakeholder intervention in addressing the threats posed by explosive remnants..
Also in his paper, Mr Mohammed Ibrahim said all the Red cross movements which includes ICRC, IFRC and NRCS are all working to provide humanitarian service to the people in needs during conflict or crisis..
He said ” we operate under the principles of Neutrality, impartiality, independence, Humanity to alleviate the suffering of the victims of conflict”.
