A senior police officer, CSP Gerald Udechukwu, has warned that Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) are increasingly designed to appear ordinary, making public vigilance—not technology—the most critical line of defence against attacks on worship centres and other public spaces.
Udechukwu delivered the warning on Wednesday while speaking as a resource person at a one-day interfaith security summit held at the Command Headquarters, an initiative facilitated by the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu.
Speaking on the theme, “How to Identify, Manage, and Report Cases of Improvised Explosive Devices to Safeguard Worship Centres,” the officer stressed that the traditional indicators of IEDs—such as exposed wires or disturbed ground—are no longer reliable.
“The most dangerous IED is the one that looks completely normal,” he said, noting that modern devices are deliberately crafted to blend seamlessly into everyday environments.
According to him, terrorists now exploit “normality” as a tactical advantage, using items and markers that do not immediately raise suspicion. He cautioned that focusing solely on suspicious objects could be misleading, urging citizens instead to prioritise behavioural cues.
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“Rather than looking for strange objects, pay attention to unusual behaviour. Awareness is key to a safer society,” he advised
Udechukwu emphasised that effective reporting remains central to counter-IED efforts, urging members of the public to provide clear, specific, and timely information to security agencies.
“In IED situations, curiosity kills faster than explosives. Distance is your first protection,” he warned, adding that a vigilant individual can prevent an attack before the arrival of bomb disposal units.
He further noted that IEDs remain attractive tools for terrorist groups due to their low cost and ease of fabrication, reinforcing the need for proactive identification of threats.
“Identifying a threat is equivalent to preventing an attack,” he said.
The officer concluded by urging citizens to develop situational awareness and resist the urge to intervene directly when confronted with suspicious scenarios.
“Terrorism does not always begin with an explosion; it begins with a moment of opportunity—when vigilance fails and abnormal situations are ignored,” he said. “Do not try to be a hero. Create distance and contact the nearest police station or Explosive Ordnance Disposal personnel.”
Udechukwu, who hails from Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra State, was enlisted into the Nigeria Police Force in 2012 as a cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police. He has served in multiple operational and intelligence roles across the country, including the Force Headquarters in Abuja and counter-terrorism units in Delta and Imo states.
