NNRA Launches Investigation After Theft of Radioactive Equipment in Rivers
The Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority (NNRA) has convened the National Nuclear Security Committee (NNSC) following a reported security breach at an industrial radiography facility in Rivers State.
The incident involved unauthorised access to the facility’s radioactive source storage pit and the theft of six source projectors. Two of the stolen projectors contained Iridium-192 (Ir-192) radioactive sources, while a transit container was also reported missing.
The NNRA said the company operating the facility formally reported the incident to the authority, which subsequently notified the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) through established international reporting channels.
These included the IAEA’s Incident and Trafficking Database (ITDB), the Unified System for Information Exchange in Incidents and Emergencies (USIE), and its Incident and Emergency Centre.
The regulatory agency said the notification was made in line with international information-sharing arrangements under the Convention on Early Notification of a Nuclear Accident and the Convention on Assistance in the Case of a Nuclear Accident or Radiological Emergency.
The National Nuclear Security Committee meeting was held last Monday at the NNRA headquarters in Abuja, with relevant national security agencies and stakeholders in attendance. Participants assessed the circumstances surrounding the breach and its potential safety and security implications.
Following deliberations, the committee agreed on procedures for investigating the incident and recovering the missing equipment. It also assigned responsibilities to participating agencies and outlined safety and security measures to mitigate potential risks.
The NNRA said the resolutions established a coordinated framework for investigation, recovery and risk mitigation, reaffirming its commitment to safeguarding radioactive sources through regulatory oversight and cooperation with national and international partners.