US To Donate N831 Million Nuclear Smuggling Detection Equipment To Nigeria Police

US President, Joe Biden

The United States of America has revealed plans to donate mobile nuclear detection system vans and equipment valued at over $2 million (N831 million) to the Nigeria Police Force’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal Command.

This was made known in a statement issued by Temitayo Famutimi, Public Affairs Section of the U.S. Consulate General.

Ahead of the event slated for Friday, March 25, the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration (DOE/NNSA) Office of Nuclear Smuggling Detection and Deterrence had organised a two-week training for 30 officers and men of the EOD Command in the operation of the detection equipment.

This, according to the statement is to “ensure the police have the skills to combat the smuggling of nuclear and radioactive material. An additional 10 officers were trained on the maintenance of the donated equipment.”

Officers and men of the EOD Command who received the training will give a public demonstration of the use of the mobile nuclear detection system at the event on Friday, the statement said. 

It added: “At the event, U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Nuclear Smuggling Detection and Deterrence Sustainability Manager for Nigeria, Steward Voit; and the Commissioner of Police, Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) Command, Ibrahim Zanna, will deliver remarks highlighting the close and continuous security partnership between the United States and Nigeria, spanning decades.”