The Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) Tuesday carried out a simulation exercise on counter-terrorism in Abuja, aimed at tackling the new strategy adopted by terrorists who are now attacking soft targets.
Addressing a press conference to flag off the exercise, the Deputy Director, Presidential Communication, Command and Control Centre in the Office of the NSA, Mr. Shehu Saidu, said it is also aimed at testing the validity of the doctrine.
He said the exercise taking place at the International Conference Centre (ICC), Abuja as a soft target was developed by ONSA
According to him, the exercise code named “Daukin Gagawa” meaning rapid response is the simulation of a terrorist attack on soft target using pyrotechnic Improvised Explosive Devices and blank ammunition to measure the swift response by all the agencies involved in crisis management and counter-terrorism.
He stated further, “You will recall that this is the new trend of terrorism worldwide. You saw it in France, Ouagadougou, Bamako and numerous other incidents in Nigeria by the Boko Haram terrorists. It is in this light that this exercise is organized by the Office of the National Security Adviser in order to practice the synergy of effort between all the security agencies and the cooperation therein expected of them during such crisis”.
The stakeholders he said would evaluate the efficiency of the doctrine for amendment or retooling at the end of the exercise.
Saidu said the exercise urged members of the public not to panic assuring that it was designed to protect lives and property
Those participating in the exercise are representatives of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Nigeria Police Force, Immigration Service, Nigerian Customs Service, Federal Ministry of Health, National Emergency Management Agency, National Security and Civil Defence Corps, Federal Fire Service, and all other respondents.
