The Nigerian Army on Thursday unveiled Nigeria’s first locally made explosive detonator, known as Rechargeable Blasting Device.

The device is a potable electrical system adaptable to wet and dry conditions.

The unveiling and testing of the device was part of the programme of the 2016 Chief of Army Staff First Quarter Conference, held in Abuja.

Maj.-Gen. Gabriel Ode, the Deputy Commandant of the National Defence College and brain behind the innovation said the device was a product of research by the Nigerian Army Corps of Engineers.

In his explanation shortly before the testing of the device, Ode said the device could be used for demolition of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and unexploded bombs.

He said that research on the production of the equipment lasted for four months, explaining that all materials used were sourced locally.

The deputy commandant said the equipment would be useful in the ongoing clearance operations in the North-East, especially in the removal of planted IEDs and unexploded bombs in liberated areas.

“The production of this device is based solely on researches conducted by Nigerian Army engineers and from scratch to finish, the materials were sourced locally.

“The average cost of producing one unit of the device is N140, 000 as against N700, 000 required to import same from abroad.

“The importance of the device cannot be over-emphasised because before now, what was used in demolition of explosives was no longer useful.

“We can use this one in our operations in the North-East and the use of key switches makes it quite unique.”

Ode said there were other innovative works that Army engineers were working on which he added would improve the efficiency of the army’s operations within and outside the country.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, and other participants at the conference witnessed the testing of the device. (NAN)

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