Nigeria Police bolsters CBRN capabilities with US DTRA, ONSA partnership
The Nigeria Police Force concluded the final phase of the Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction (C‑WMD) Curriculum Development Workshop for its Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (EOD‑CBRN) Command. Organized by Commissioner of Police Hauwa Ibrahim of the EOD‑CBRN Command, the workshop was conducted in partnership with the United States Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) and the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), led by Major Brittany Brown and Mrs. Pamela West respectively. It wrapped up a series of Train‑the‑Trainers sessions aimed at institutionalising a national CBRN curriculum across security agencies and boosting Nigeria’s readiness against emerging CBRN and explosive threats. Deputy Inspector‑General of Police Umar Shehu Nadada, speaking for IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, called the initiative a strategic investment in operational preparedness, stressing the need for proactive, well‑trained and equipped forces, continued inter‑agency collaboration and international partnerships. He thanked DTRA, ONSA, facilitators and partner agencies for enhancing the Force’s ability to protect lives, safeguard critical infrastructure and respond to evolving threats, urging participants to disseminate the knowledge widely so the curriculum becomes a permanent part of EOD‑CBRN training. The EOD‑CBRN Command pledged to embed the curriculum in the Nigeria Police Force training system, ensuring officers gain the competencies to tackle CBRN and WMD challenges, and expressed optimism for continued support in specialised equipment, technical assistance and advanced capacity building. How might improved CBRN detection and response capabilities affect your confidence in safety at large public gatherings or events in Nigeria?