By Gbenga Akingbule.
International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) on Thursday hosted weapon contamination and risk awareness training for journalists in Borno State where activities of notorious Boko Haram Terrorists have been lingering for over a decade and a half.
Gatekeepers News reports that the aim of the training according to the ICRC is to equip reporters with relevant safety measures required to keep the public aware of unexploded ordnance (UXO) and unexploded improvised explosive devices (IEDs),
The ICRC also utilizes the medium to further acquaint media practitioners with its principles, which include Humanity, impartiality, Neutrality, Independence, Voluntary Service, Unity, and Universality.
This was disclosed during the training held at the ICRC complex in Maiduguri, the state capital.
The weapon contamination session anchored by Akila Bulus, WeC Field Manager said the training was apt following an increased number of unexploded IEDs in the Northeast sub-region and Borno and Yobe states in particular.
The session focused on risk identification and clues to weapon contamination in different locations urging the public to be wary of signs of fighting such as; bomb craters, shrapnel lying about, or bullet casings
Other areas where necessary attention must be paid include human and livestock corpses, or with missing limbs, soft sand, prior IED blast holes, sharp turns/ choke points, destroyed buildings, and abandoned military checkpoints trenches amongst others.
