Planned Attacks: Police to Strengthen Security, Re-Strategise

The Nigeria Police Force has ordered all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory Commands’ Police Commissioners and heads of tactical squads to re-strategise security management within their jurisdictions.

This follows a security advisory by the Embassy of the United States of America in Abuja, indicating an elevated risk of terror attacks in the country, particularly in the capital city, The PUNCH reports.

In a Monday statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the police noted that it would review the US security advisory while strengthening structures across the country for proactiveness, as it re-strategises security management nationwide, and also announces “Operation Darkin Gaggawa” simulation exercise in the FCT.

Adejobi 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 23, 2022, indicating an elevated risk of terror attacks in the country, particularly in the capital city of Abuja.”

He also noted that a review of the advisory was necessary, adding that the 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, adding that the Force Headquarters will continue to avail all State Commands and FCT tactical unit with required support, logistics, and deployments necessary.

“The Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, has, however, ordered the Commissioner of Police in charge of the FCT, heads of tactical squads domiciled in the FCT, and other State Command CPs to re-strategise security management within their jurisdictions, as the Force Headquarters will continually avail them with required support, logistics, and deployments necessary for providing safety to all and sundry in Nigeria. While the NPF will continually work with other security agencies to make every part of Nigeria safe, especially the FCT.

“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 analyse and de-escalate threats gathered from various intelligence at the Force’s disposal, US advisory inclusive, the IG has announced the immediate commencement of a counter-terrorism incident simulation exercise codenamed ‘Operation Darkin Gaggawa,’ which will hold within the Force Headquarters and the Police Officers Wives Association School opposite the Force Headquarters, in Abuja, between Tuesday 25 and Wednesday 26, October, 2022.”

Adejobi noted that 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 IG, 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.” He said.