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Nigeria has inaugurated a national baseline assessment to evaluate and bolster its capacity to counter the growing threat of improvised explosive devices (IEDs), weapons increasingly used by terrorist groups across the country.
The initiative, spearheaded by the National Counter Terrorism Centre, was unveiled on Wednesday in Abuja during the Counter-Improvised Explosive Devices Baseline Self-Assessment Workshop, organised in collaboration with the United Nations Mine Action Service and the British High Commission.
Speaking on behalf of the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, the centre’s National Coordinator, Adamu Laka, said the exercise aims to critically examine Nigeria’s existing counter-IED capabilities and identify operational gaps across security institutions.
Mr. Laka described the assessment as a strategic follow-up to the Counter-IED Symposium held in March 2025 and a crucial step toward developing a comprehensive National Counter-IED Strategy. He emphasised that IEDs remain among the most dangerous weapons deployed by terrorist groups, particularly in the North-East, posing significant threats to military personnel, civilians, and national infrastructure.
“IED attacks have caused deaths, injuries, disrupted farming and economic activities, restricted humanitarian operations, displaced communities, and weakened investor confidence in affected areas. These impacts extend far beyond the battlefield, affecting the stability and recovery of communities nationwide,” Laka said.
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The assessment will employ the Counter-IED Self-Assessment Framework developed by the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research, providing empirical data to strengthen coordination among Nigeria’s security agencies.
Representing the United Kingdom, Annup Vyas, First Secretary at the British High Commission, reiterated her country’s support for Nigeria in addressing the persistent IED threat. She described the workshop as a milestone in the UK-Nigeria security and defence partnership, aimed at enhancing national and regional stability.
“The threat from improvised explosive devices is ongoing and deeply damaging to lives, communities, and regional stability. Their impact cuts across soldiers, civilians, and infrastructure alike,” she said, stressing the importance of a clear understanding of strengths, gaps, and areas requiring improvement within Nigeria’s counter-IED architecture.
Also speaking, Shamsideen Shafaru, Commander of the Nigerian Army Corps of Engineers, noted that IEDs are highly adaptive weapons requiring a unified, intelligence-driven, and capability-focused response. He affirmed the army’s commitment to support national counter-IED efforts through technical expertise, combat engineering, and force protection initiatives.
Participants in the workshop include representatives from the armed forces, security and intelligence agencies, relevant government ministries, departments and agencies, as well as international partners supporting Nigeria’s counter-terrorism efforts.
The assessment is expected to provide a comprehensive understanding of Nigeria’s counter-IED readiness, guiding resource allocation, training, and operational coordination to enhance national security and civilian protection
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