The Nigeria Police Force has reassured Nigerians and visitors that it will effectively review the US’s security advisory which indicated an elevated risk of terror attacks in the country, particularly in the capital city of Abuja.
In a statement by the Force Spokesman Olumuyiwa Adejobi on Monday, the police said 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.”
He quoted the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Usman Alkali Baba as ordering 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 avail them with the required support, logistics, and deployments necessary for providing safety to all and sundry in Nigeria.
According to him, the NPF will continually work with other security agencies to make every part of Nigeria safe, especially the FCT.
The statement further read, “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’ 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 Inspector-General of Police, therefore, reiterates the commitment of his administration to ensuring the 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.”
Channels Television reported that The US and Britain warned of a possible terrorist attack in Abuja, the nation’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
According to the warnings on Sunday, the attack would be especially aimed at government buildings, places of worship, schools, and other centres where large crowds gather.
While also reacting to the US and UK security alert, the Department of State Services (DSS) urged residents of the Abuja metropolis and Nigerians, in general, to remain calm, saying the security agencies are right on top of the situation.
“DSS has received several enquiries relating to the security advisory issued by the US Embassy in Abuja, today, 23/10/22.
“The public may recall that the Service had variously issued similar warnings in the past.
“While advising that necessary precautions are taken by all and sundry, the populace is enjoined to remain alert and assist security agencies with useful information regarding threats and suspicious criminal acts around them,” a DSS statement partly read.
