The Nigerian Army has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to strengthen Nigeria’s civil aviation security through enhanced K9 explosive detection operations. The partnership will facilitate collaboration in the training, deployment and management of Explosive Detection Dogs (EDDs) to improve security at airports across the country.
The Memorandum of Understanding, signed on Friday, 10 July 2027, formalises the partnership between the Nigerian Army, through the Nigerian Army Corps of Military Police (NACMP), and the NCAA. The initiative followed the approval of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, NAM, in response to the NCAA’s request for technical support in developing its K9 capability for civil aviation security.
Under the agreement, the Nigerian Army Corps of Military Police will train Aviation Security Inspectors in dog handling and the operational employment of Explosive Detection Dogs for screening passengers, baggage, cargo and other areas requiring explosive detection at designated airports nationwide.
Representing the Chief of Army Staff at the signing ceremony, the Provost Marshal (Army), Major General Mathias Oyinmeibi Erebulu, signed the Memorandum of Understanding on behalf of the Nigerian Army. He disclosed that the Chief of Army Staff had designated the Nigerian Army Corps of Military Police as the coordinating formation responsible for implementing the agreement and overseeing all aspects of the training programme.
Major General Erebulu reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to a transparent, professional and mutually beneficial partnership. He explained that the training would focus primarily on explosive detection operations and other aviation security tasks requiring specialised K9 support. He added that the agreement was founded on mutual trust, cooperation and shared responsibility, while noting that either party could withdraw from the partnership in accordance with the provisions of the Memorandum of Understanding. He also appreciated the NCAA for its confidence in the Nigerian Army’s professionalism and institutional capacity.
Speaking on behalf of the Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, the Director of Aviation Security Regulation, Mr Ben Omogo, expressed appreciation to the Chief of Army Staff for approving the partnership and commended the Provost Marshal (Army) for the warm reception accorded to the NCAA delegation.
Mr Omogo disclosed that the initiative was conceived following the approval of the National Security Adviser and the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s civil aviation security architecture. He noted that the collaboration would significantly enhance airport security by improving the nation’s capability to detect and respond to evolving security threats through the deployment of professionally trained Explosive Detection Dogs. He further conveyed the appreciation of the Director General of the NCAA and the Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development to the Nigerian Army for its unwavering support and commitment to national security.
Present at the ceremony were the Acting Director Legal Services (Army), Colonel S O Okebukola; the Chief of Staff, Headquarters Nigerian Army Corps of Military Police, Brigadier General S Salihu; the Commandant, Nigerian Army Dog Centre, Lagos, Brigadier General A A Alkali; commanders and Principal Staff Officers of Headquarters Nigerian Army Corps of Military Police.
The ceremony culminated in the formal signing of the Memorandum of Understanding and a group photograph to commemorate the partnership.
