The Federal Government has unveiled plans to disrupt the supply chains that enable terrorist groups to manufacture improvised explosive devices, as part of broader efforts to address persistent security threats across the country.
The initiative is anchored on the development of a National Counter–Improvised Explosive Device Enterprise Plan, which is being coordinated by the Office of the National Security Adviser through the National Counter Terrorism Centre.
According to the 2025–2030 Strategic Plan of the National Counter Terrorism Centre, the proposed framework is aimed at ensuring a unified and coordinated government response to the growing use of IEDs by terrorist groups operating in Nigeria.
The document stated that the NCTC would establish a Counter-IED working group to embed a continuous process of monitoring, evaluation and learning within the national counter-IED effort, with a view to keeping responses aligned with evolving threats.
“The NCTC has been working with international partners to develop a threat-aligned National Counter-IED Enterprise Plan to ensure synchronicity and unity of effort across the government in its efforts to defeat the evolving use of IEDs by terrorist groups,” the document said.
It added that “to ensure that this counter-IED enterprise remains aligned with current threats, effective and efficient, it is essential to continually monitor and evaluate the impact of counter-IED efforts, modifying these efforts as needed. Therefore, an ongoing process of monitoring, evaluation and learning must be embedded within the counter-IED enterprise.”
As part of the new measures, the NCTC forensic laboratory is expected to function as a national Counter-IED Centre, making its technical resources available to Explosive Ordnance Disposal units drawn from the military, security and law enforcement agencies.
The centre will support the forensic analysis of explosive devices to generate intelligence on construction techniques, operational capabilities and suspected bombmakers. In addition, a Weapons Intelligence Team is to be established within the Joint Terrorism Analysis Branch to disseminate forensic and technical findings to operational units, with the aim of strengthening field-level responses to IED threats.
The National Counter-IED Plan also places emphasis on disrupting the flow of materials used in bomb-making, including efforts to interdict the illicit trafficking and diversion of explosive precursors and components, some of which have legitimate civilian or industrial applications.
According to the document, the plan will leverage the NCTC’s regional and international partnerships to link Nigerian agencies with global initiatives such as NATO’s Counter-IED Centre of Excellence in Spain and the World Customs Organisation’s Programme Global Shield, which focuses on building the capacity of customs administrations to intercept illicit explosive materials.
The renewed focus comes amid continued IED attacks in the North-East. On Wednesday, the Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai, Maj. Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, said the use of IEDs remained a major challenge to military operations and civilian movement, particularly along poorly maintained roads.
Abubakar explained that insurgents often resort to planting IEDs when they are unable to engage troops directly, noting that deteriorated road infrastructure has created opportunities for terrorists to lay explosives.
He cited the Gubio–Damasak axis as an example, where multiple IED incidents have affected civilians, commuters and security personnel, adding that rehabilitation work on the route was ongoing to limit insurgents’ access and reduce the risk of further attacks.
