By Aisha Mohammed
Loss of lives, psychological trauma, insecurity, and fear hindering access to humanitarian services, socio-economic activities, and loss of income, among others, are the effects caused by explosive ordnance in at-risk areas of the BAY states Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe.
These factors have been attributed to risk-taking behaviors, causing increased casualties from explosive ordnance.
Experts and facilitators at an Explosive Ordnance Risk Education thematic training, organized by the BBC Media Action for media practitioners in Abuja explained that the impact of Improvised Explosive Devices and Explosive Remnants of War has claimed millions of innocent lives, including those of women and children.
Aisha Shettima further explained that advanced insurgency attacks, necessitated the thematic training for media practitioners in the BAY states of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe.
She noted that in 2024, civilian casualties from explosive ordnance rose to 63 percent of all casualties, recorded the highest number since 2018.
Shettima emphasized the need for behavioral change to reduce the number of civilian casualties, especially in the at-risk areas of the BAY states, and urged the media to be neutral in their reportage on Explosive Ordnance Risk Education.
On his part, Musa Garba said messages on safe and unsafe behavior should be made simple to achieve the desired result.
The experts said clarity is crucial to the development of at-risk behaviors and emphasized the need for positive and protective messages to reflect changing contexts such as new threats, population movements, and new patterns of dangerous behaviors.
They advised the media to ensure that new messages are field-tested and approved by critical stakeholders in Nigeria’s security sector to reduce risk-taking behaviors in the community.
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