By Chimezie Godfrey
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF), in collaboration with the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Unit of the Nigeria Police Force, Bauchi State Command, has intensified efforts to strengthen counter-IED warfare capabilities among special forces personnel through specialised tactical training in Bauchi State.
The exercise, organised by the Nigerian Air Force Regiment Training Centre Annex (RTCA), Bauchi, focused on the identification and handling of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) for trainees of Special Forces Course 13/2026.
According to the NAF, the training was designed to enhance the trainees’ situational awareness, operational effectiveness, and force protection capabilities in increasingly volatile security environments.
The Air Force stated that the exercise forms part of ongoing efforts to produce highly skilled and mission-ready special forces personnel capable of responding effectively to modern security threats across different operational theatres.
Speaking during the training, the Commandant of RTCA Bauchi, Squadron Leader Lawrence Akpan, said the exercise aligns with the Centre’s mandate of producing resilient and combat-ready personnel capable of operating in volatile and complex environments.
He stressed the importance of equipping personnel with practical tactical knowledge necessary for detecting, identifying, and safely responding to explosive threats during operations.
According to him, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, remains committed to realistic training and mission-oriented capacity development aimed at strengthening the operational readiness of NAF personnel.
“Air Marshal Aneke has continued to prioritise realistic training, operational adaptability, and mission-oriented capacity development to ensure NAF personnel remain decisive and proactive in counterterrorism and special operations,” Akpan said.
During the practical sessions, trainees were exposed to different categories of IEDs, threat indicators, and safety procedures applicable in combat operations.
The Police EOD team also conducted practical demonstrations on the detonation mechanisms of pressure plate IEDs and educated participants on critical components of explosive devices, including initiators, power sources, charges, and switch mechanisms.
The NAF stated that the training provided participants with valuable operational insight into the construction and functioning of explosive devices commonly encountered during counterterrorism operations.
The collaboration between the NAF and the Police EOD Unit was also described as a reflection of growing inter-agency synergy aimed at strengthening national security architecture and enhancing operational effectiveness against insurgency, terrorism, and other asymmetric threats.
NAF, Police EOD Team Strengthen Counter-IED Capacity In Bauchi
