Police to review US security alert on possible terror attacks in Abuja

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) on Monday said it will review the security advisory by United States Embassy over a possible terror attack in Abuja.

The U.S Embassy in Nigeria on Sunday alerted its nationals on the elevated risk of terror attacks in Nigeria, specifically in Abuja, advising its nationals to avoid all non-essential travel or movement, stay alert, avoid crowds, and review their personal security plans.

However, Nigeria police spokesperson Olumuyiwa Adejobi in a statement assured Nigerians and all other foreigners in the country that it will effectively review the security advisory issued by the US embassy.

“The 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,” Adejobi said.

Adejobi added that the police, as the lead agency in internal security, will not take any threat intelligence, either actionable or not, for granted, adding that “there is no cause for alarm”.

He noted that the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, has ordered the commissioner of police in Abuja and the heads of tactical squads, and other State Command CPs to restrategise security management within their jurisdictions, stating that there will continue to provide them with the required support, logistics, and deployments necessary for providing safety to all and sundry in Nigeria.

According to the force spokesman, the IGP 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 between Tuesday, October 25, and Wednesday 26th.

Adejobi added that the exercise will involve the 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.

He urged the general public not to panic at the sounds of explosives and gunshots during the exercise.

According to Adejobi, police will continually work with other security agencies to make sure every state in the country is safe, especially the FCT.