Environmental Security Implications of Military Demolition Activities in Nigeria: Spatio-Temporal and Seasonal Dynamics from Alamala

Abstract

Environmental degradation arising from military activities has increasingly become a subject of global security concern. This study examines the environmental security implications of military demolition exercises in Southwestern Nigeria, focusing on the spatio-temporal and seasonal dynamics of contaminants at Alamala. Soil, water, air, and vegetation samples were collected across dry and rainy seasons and analysed for heavy metals and explosive residues. The samples were analysed for contaminants including heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Cr, Cu, Zn, Fe, Mn, Ni), explosive residues (TNT, RDX, DNT), and physicochemical parameters (COD, BOD, pH, TDS). Statistical analyses, comprising descriptive statistics, ANOVA, t-tests, time-series analysis, and exponential decay modelling, were employed to assess seasonal variation, attenuation rates, and natural remediation processes. Results reveal significant seasonal variation, with elevated contaminant levels during the rainy season and persistent residues across environmental compartments. While natural attenuation processes were observed, remediation rates varied across contaminants, with explosive residues exhibiting slower decay. The findings highlight the intersection between environmental degradation and human security, underscoring the need for policy reforms, improved environmental governance, and sustainable military practices in Nigeria. The study also highlighted the ecological and health implications of open detonation practices and emphasized the necessity for continuous monitoring, policy reform, and site-specific remediation strategies.