NIGERIA. Abuja: Since 2016, a total of 1,532 bomb blasts have occurred, resulting in almost 10,000 injuries, according to the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS).
Matthias Schmale, the UN Resident, and Humanitarian Coordinator, announced this in Abuja at the celebration of this year’s International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action, saying that the explosive incidents occurred in the states of Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe.
Schmale went on to say that the explosions has caused significant issues to the northeastern states and their populations.
“In all of the recorded 10,000 casualties and 1,532 incidents, 1,356 civilians are severely injured and 789 others killed,” Schmale said.
“These devices are also an obstacle to early recovery and development efforts. From the affected states, UNMAS collated 1,532 incidents involving explosive hazards from January 2016 to January 2022 involving more than 10,000 casualties, out of which 1,356 civilians were injured and 789 killed.”
Explosive devices are very dangerous to the life and health of the populace, therefore UNMAS and International Humanitarian Law frown at it at all costs and advise the perpetrators of the act to deceased from the devilish act.
Schemale also said that it is the right time for the life and property of the general public to be guided at all costs to serve as a supporting pillar to respond to the crises as quickly as possible.
However, UNMAS and Mine Action Organizations have agreed to come to the aid of the affected persons by providing them with life-saving information on how to reduce the effect of explosions for people in the affected areas, including displaced persons and refugees, with the help of Explosive Ordinance Risk Education (EORE).
Meanwhile, measures to protect the populace must be stepped up, as a 2022 humanitarian research found that 1.2 million people are at risk and in desperate need of life-saving assistance in Adamawa, Borno, and Yobe states.
UNMAS Programme Manager Giwes Delecourt stated in his remarks that UNMAS is doing everything possible to educate the affected population and the region about the dangers of explosions, as well as how to assist them in identifying the threats associated with explosions and how to avoid being harmed by the dangerous device.
Sadeeq Shehu, the President’s Special Assistant on Disaster Management, also spoke, saying that the Federal Government is conducting research in collaboration with security agencies to determine the causes and pinpoint sites where explosives are planted.
Mines Day is celebrated annually on April 4, aimed at seeking assistance for mine action work, raising awareness about landmines and the progress of their eradication globally.
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