NNRA MEETS WITH NPF OFFICIALS

NNRA MEETS WITH NPF OFFICIALS

The Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NNRA) held a meeting with the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) at the Authority’s National Nuclear Security Coordination Centre (NNSCC) NNRA, Headquarters, Abuja on the 1st of June, 2023.

The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the possibility of introducing nuclear security modules at the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) training institutions. This will develop the capacity of NPF Officers in general and the Explosive Ordinance Department (EOD) Officers in particular on basic nuclear security and the use of appropriate radiation detection equipment such as radioisotope identification devices, personal radiation detectors and other relevant equipment to support effective policing during transportation of radioactive materials, at fixed nuclear/radiological facilities and during routine operations 

The introduction of these modules will also ensure that all officers that go through the institutions at recruitment point or during refresher courses have basic knowledge of nuclear security to reduce the current challenges of transferring trained officers in the area of nuclear security and replacing them with untrained ones.

Declaring the meeting open, the DG/CEO, Dr.Yau Idris, stated that the NNSCC was established to develop a sustainable and effective human resource capability through the provision and implementation of a National Nuclear Security Training Program. This is to meet the requirements of the national security regime and to develop an effective technical and scientific support service to manage and maintain equipment for the prevention, detection of and response to nuclear events.

He emphasized that NNSCC over the years has worked with industry professionals and members of the academia to develop materials for introductory and intermediate courses on nuclear security as well as radiation detection equipment operation and handling. He said that NNSCC has also developed training materials on insider threat mitigation.

The NPF Team Lead, Commissioner of Police, Zannah Shettima, appreciated the NNRA for recognizing the force and ensuring there is protection of nuclear materials across the board. He said, different officers from various departments of NPF have been attending series of training in order to discharge their duties. He promised to get back to the Authority for implementation of the proposed project.

The Coordinator of the National Nuclear Security Coordination Centre (NNSCC) Mr. Adamu Abdul, walked the NPF Officers on a tour of the various laboratories of the centre which included the Physical Protection Systems Laboratory, Radiation Detection Equipment Laboratory and Information and Communication Technology Laboratory. Mr. Sayyadi Suleman introduced the visitors to the NNRA emergency response vehicle.