Following the security threat warnings issued by the United States and Britain, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Baba, has announced the immediate commencement of a Counter Terrorism Incident Simulation Exercise codenamed “Operation Darkin Gaggawa”.
Usman also directed the Commissioner of Police in charge of the Federal Capital Territory, heads of tactical squads domiciled in the FCT, and other State Command CPs to restrategise security management within their jurisdictions.
He added that with the police as lead agency in internal security, it would not take any threat intelligence, either actionable or not, for granted.
SaharaReporters reported earlier that US and British embassies in Nigeria had Sunday warned of a possible terrorist attack in the nation's federal capital Abuja, especially aimed at government buildings, places of worship and schools, among other targets.
The U.S. Embassy had said "there is an elevated risk of terror attacks in Nigeria, specifically Abuja" and added that shopping malls, law enforcement facilities and international organisations were among places at risk.
"The U.S. Embassy will offer reduced services until further notice," the embassy said in an alert to citizens in Nigeria.”
The United Kingdom government subsequently, warned its citizens in Nigeria to stay alert due to an "increased threat of terrorist attack in Abuja."
"Attacks could be indiscriminate and could affect western interests, as well as places visited by tourists," it had said.
But reacting to the security threat warnings, the police IG promised state commands and strategic commanders that the Force Headquarters would continually avail them with required support, logistics, and deployments necessary for providing safety to all and sundry in Nigeria.
Usman, who stated this in statement issued through the Force PRO, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, also promised to work with other security agencies to make every part of Nigeria safe, especially the Federal Capital Territory.
He said, “The Nigeria Police Force hereby reassures Nigerians and all other residents and visitors in the country that it will effectively review the United States of America Embassy in Abuja’s security advisory which was issued, widely circulated, and published by the media on October 23rd, 2022, indicating an elevated risk of terror attacks in the country, particularly in the capital city of Abuja.
“A review of the advisory is necessary due to the fact that Police, as the lead agency in internal security, will not take any threat intelligence, either actionable or not, for granted; thus, there is no cause for alarm as all hands are on deck to collectively nip threats in the bud.
“In furtherance of his zeal and strategies to decimate activities of non-state actors and other criminal elements in the FCT and other parts of the country, and to analyze and de-escalate threats gathered from various intelligence at the Force’s disposal, U.S advisory inclusive, the IGP has announced the immediate commencement of a Counter Terrorism Incident Simulation Exercise codenamed “Operation Darkin Gaggawa”
“It will hold within the Force Headquarters and the Police Officers Wives Association School opposite the Force Headquarters, Abuja, between Tuesday 25th and Wednesday 26th October, 2022.
“The exercise will involve diversion of traffic, use of blank ammunition, and other operational manpower and assets, and is designed to improve interoperability and synergy between different Units and Formations of the Force in response to terrorist incidents and other violent crimes.
“The NPF thereby urges the general public not to panic at the sounds of explosives and gunshots during the exercise.
“The IGP therefore reiterates the commitment of his administration to ensuring safety of lives and property within the country via the effective deployment of tactical and operational assets for effective intelligence gathering and proactive policing.
“He further reassures Nigerians of a safe and secured country for all.”
Nigeria government is fighting an Islamist insurgency mainly in the northeast, but in July the Islamic State claimed responsibility for a raid on a prison in Abuja, which freed around 440 inmates, raising fears that insurgents were venturing from their enclaves.
There are concerns for the February presidential election as insecurity has spread across Nigeria.
