Police Increase Security in FCT and Begin Simulation Exercise

Ibekimi Oriamaja Reports

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) announced on Monday that it has begun re-strategizing its security management in the Federal Capital Territory in order to mitigate any looming threat.

According to Track News, this comes just hours after the United States and the United Kingdom warned their citizens in Nigeria about a planned terrorist attack in the country’s capital.

In response, Force spokesperson CSP Muyiwa Adejobi reassured Nigerians and all other residents and visitors in the country that the US Embassy in Abuja’s security advisory, which was issued, widely circulated, and published in the media on October 23rd, 2022, would be thoroughly reviewed.

He stated that the advisory should be reviewed because Police, as the lead agency in internal security, “will not take any threat intelligence, whether 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.”

“The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, psc(+), NPM, fdc, CFR, has however ordered 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 restrategize security management within their jurisdictions, as the Force Headquarters will continually provide them with required support, logistics, and deployments necessary for providing safety,” a Police spokesperson said. While the NPF will continue to collaborate with other security agencies to make Nigeria safe, particularly the FCT.”

Meanwhile, Adejobi stated that the IGP has announced the immediate start of a Counter Terrorism Incident Simulation Exercise codenamed “Operation Darkin Gaggawa,” which will take place between Tuesday, October 25th, and Wednesday, October 26th, 2022, within the Force Headquarters and the Police Officers Wives Association School opposite the Force Headquarters in Abuja.

The exercise, he says, will involve traffic diversion, the use of blank ammunition, and other operational manpower and assets, and is intended to improve interoperability and synergy between different Units and Formations of the Force in response to terrorist incidents and other violent crimes.

He urged the public not to panic when they heard explosions and gunshots during the exercise.

“As a result, the Inspector-General of Police reiterates his administration’s commitment to ensuring the safety of lives and property within the country through the effective deployment of tactical and operational assets for effective intelligence gathering and proactive policing.” He also assures Nigerians that the country is safe and secure for all,” a police spokesperson said.