The Inspector General of Police, Mr. Muhammed Abubakar, has ordered policemen attached to Police Anti-Bomb Command to monitor quarry companies and other dealers in explosives across the country.
The measure, according to the IG, is to frustrate “anti-social elements” from obtaining materials for bombs with ease and “reduce the frequency of bombings” in the country.
It was also meant to aid the establishment of a data base by the force for “all explosives and other allied materials” in the country.
Abubakar, who was represented by the Commissioner of Police in Charge of EOD Anti-Bomb Command, Mr. Foluso Adebanjo, spoke during the two-day Unit Commanders Workshop in Ikeja, Lagos on Friday.
The IGP said, “No other unit can establish a database for explosives and other allied materials for the force than your command.
“It is imperative that you know all explosive dealers in your jurisdiction; monitor quarry companies and explosive magazines in your area of operations.
“With proper surveillance and supervision, miscreants will find it difficult to secure explosives from licensed importers, quarries and magazines, thus reducing their access to IED making materials.”
Abubakar also urged the commanders to come up with other measures to curb the easy access to bomb making materials.
He said the police high command was working to acquire modern equipment that would reduce the risk of tackling bomb and also enhance the operational preparedness of the policemen in the anti-bomb command.
The IG, who observed that the usual apprehension over spate of bombings in the Northern part of the country had been doused by the pro-active strategies of the police, said bombs that were used were fabricated, using explosives with the mixture of fertilisers and diesel oil.
In a related development, Abubakar said the police authority had created a standard operating procedure for policemen attached to its anti-bomb command in order to check the movement of explosives in the country.
The procedure stipulated that movement of explosives must now be between 6am and 6pm and must be escorted by armed anti-bomb policemen in complete uniform, who must not drink, sleep or smoke on duty among others.
