Effects Of Improvised Explosive Devices On Nigerian Army Personnel

Effects of improvised explosive devices on nigerian army personnel

Some of the effects of IED on NA personnel in Nigeria are in the areas of physical, psychological, morale effects and effects on lack of modern C-IED equipment. These are subsequently discussed.

Physical effects

The physical effect could refer to any consequence related to the material world and physical strength of persons. The physical effects of the use of IED by BHT groups include the destruction of government establishment and slash of crowded places through suicide bombing and VBIED. Between 2009 and 2015, it was estimated that over 12, 000 lives and properties worth about N10 billion were lost. This grossly affects NA personnel efforts at combating the BHT activities particularly in the Northern part of the country. Similarly, the NA loses about 16 personnel as a result of the detonation of IED by BHT groups during Independence Day and Mammy Market bombing in Abuja in 2010. Furthermore, between January 2015 and December 2016, the NA lost about 409 personnel and 410 were injured resulting from IED by BHT in the NE. For instance, in 2014, a car bomb killed 3 soldiers at a checkpoint in Gwoza, Borno State. Annexe C contained the detail of loses of personnel through IED attacks within the studied period.

This to a large clear indicated clearly that the detonation of IED by the BHT has a negative consequence on NA personnel. According to Kazeem, the physical effects of IED on NA personnel can lead to a reduction in operational efficiency and impact on NA personnel capability. He further stated that the physical effect of IED on NA personnel could have the potential to reduce manpower capacity with a negative impact on national security in Nigeria. Thus, destructions of infrastructures and deaths of NA personnel from IED attacks have physical effects on NA and the security of the nation.

Psychological effects

The psychological effect of IED on NA personnel results from the increased pressure of the evolving natures and intensities of the use of IED by BHT against troops and Nigerian citizens at large. This also includes other activities following attacks on soft targets such as burning of houses, schools and the kidnapped of Secondary School Girls especially in Chibok and Dapchi in 2014 and 2018 respectively. The NA personnel are often demoralised and sad, feeling the outgunned threats by the insurgents.

1The frequent ambushes by BHT have added to the psychological strain on Nigerian soldiers. For instance, on several occasions in 2014, soldiers ordered to move at night on patrol or ambushes were always reluctant. This was due to fears of unknown and psychological effect subset able to what could happen while moving in the dark. The soldier’s fears were realised when convoys were severally ambushed by the BHT. This resulted to killing not less than 12 soldiers including a Commanding Officer along Road Yamteke – Bita in 2016 and 2017 respectively. The frequent ambushes and bombing by the BHT against the Nigerian military is an evidence of the cumulative psychological negative effect of IED on NA personnel in Nigeria.

Morale effects

Morale is another aspect that could be affected by IED attacks on NA personnel. Morale is the ability to inculcate confidence and self-esteem in military personnel conducting task with high spirit. Numerous cases of IEDs have often been discovered by the NAE personnel during clearance operations and are always dispose of them. This is made possible as a result of ingenuity, training, confidence and levels of cohesion results from NAE personnel to build capacity in this area. This to a large extent has boosted the morale of the personnel towards combating BHT in the NE. Also, suicide bombing incidents have drastically reduced within the AOR. All combat and admin movements are however covered by Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) teams with mine detectors.

Occasionally, the NAE formation, especially in the NE, conducts clearing operations to checkmate these threats. The threat of IED decreased drastically during the recent OP DEEP PUNCH 2 which was planned to destroy the BHT threat within the Lake Chad Basin and has raised troop’s morale. Locations within the division Area of Responsibilities (AOR) are constantly on alert hence highly fortified. To this end, most formations were tasked to construct low wire entanglement obstacle around perimeter fences especially at Kinnasara Cantonment Monguno and other FOBs and battalion locations. This to some extent has contributed positively to the morale of the NA personnel. As such, from analysis on morale, the C-IED effort on troop morale remains high against all odds.

Effects from limited engineer stores and equipment

Limited engineer stores to fight BHT could result in all other effects on troops fighting the BHT. This is because the effects culminate on the moral, physical, psychological and even the intellectual trauma. The NAE through AHQ has made considerable efforts to acquire some engineer stores and equipment to facilitate the execution of its tasks against IED. However, other limited combat engineer pieces of equipment have hindered the capacity to support training and operational roles. Equipment such as ballistic goggles, bomb suits and protective gear are not sufficiently available for the personnel. These results from personnel going on IED recovery and disposal assignments dressed as infantrymen. It is important to point out that the 48 EB formation has never been issued with basic engineer tools and equipment since its creation and induction into the theatre. This really affects the troops negatively.

In addition, some measures such as sweeping of areas for bombs, explosives and IEDs, attracts the use of electronic gadgets such as TELEROBOT, neuron activation machine, TELEMAX to monitor the battle area are not available in NA inventory. The absent of these pieces of equipment that could have been assisted to remotely fight IED threats has some negative effects on the troops. There is the need for modern equipment to be acquired to meet up with this modern-day terrorism challenges particularly against the BHT terrorists in the NE.