Senator Iroegbu and Nosa Enobhayisobo in Abuja
The Nigerian Army has commissioned Nigeria’s first locally made explosive detonator known as a Rechargeable Blasting Device.
The commissioning and testing of the portable electrical device, which is adaptable to both wet and dry conditions, was part of the highlights of the just conclude 2016 Chief of Army Staff (COAS) First Quarter Conference in Abuja.
Speaking shortly before the testing of the device, the Deputy Commandant of the National Defence College (NDC) and brain behind the innovation, Maj-Gen. Gabriel Ode, said the device was a product of research by the Nigerian Army Corps of Engineers.
Ode in his explanation to the COAS, Lt-Gen. Tukur Buratai and other participants at the conference who witnessed the testing, said the device could be used for demolition of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and unexploded bombs.
According to him, the research on the production of this equipment lasted for four months while all materials used were sourced locally.
He noted that the equipment would be useful in the ongoing clearance operations in the northeast especially in the removal of planted IEDs and unexploded bombs in the liberated areas.
He said: “The production of this device is based solely on researches conducted by Nigerian Army engineers and from scratch to finish the materials were sourced locally in Nigeria.
“The average cost of producing one unit of the device is N140, 000 as against N700, 000 required to import same from abroad.”
“The importance of the device cannot be overemphasised because before now what was used in demolition of explosives were no longer useful and unserviceable.
“We can use this ones in our operations in the northeast and the use of key switches makes it quite unique,’’ he added.
The Deputy Commandant, disclosed that there were other innovative works that Army engineers were currently working on.
He assured that when completed, the expected products would improve the efficiency of the Army’s operations within and outside the country.
