National Counter-Terrorism Centre Hosts Counter-IED Training Ahead of Crisis Response Exercise

National Counter-Terrorism Centre Hosts Counter-IED Training Ahead of Crisis Response Exercise

Abuja, Nigeria – The National Counter-Terrorism Centre (NCTC), led by its National Coordinator, Major General Adamu Laka, has commenced a Counter Improvised Explosive Device (IED) Training program. This initiative serves as a precursor to the 2024 Crisis Response Exercise, Exercise RAPID RESPONSE 1, which is scheduled to take place from November 25 to 29 under the auspices of the Presidential Communication, Command, and Control Centre (PC4).

In his opening remarks at the training’s launch, Major General Laka emphasized the critical importance of inter-agency cooperation during national crises. “The aim of Exercise RAPID RESPONSE 1 is to practice security agencies and relevant Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) on inter-agency coordination using the National Crisis Management Doctrine,” he stated. The training will focus on equipping first responders, MDAs, and bomb technicians with enhanced skills and procedures to counter IED threats effectively.

The training is designed to bolster the technical capacity of Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) personnel and K9 operators. Participants will refine their skills in operating Counter-IED equipment, maintaining procedural uniformity, and fostering inter-agency collaboration. “This program also tests command and control structures and ensures decision-making processes are swift and efficient,” Laka noted. He urged participants to engage openly and learn from one another’s expertise to ensure the success of both the training and the subsequent crisis response exercise.

Addressing Nigeria’s ongoing security challenges, Major General Laka highlighted the increasing threat posed by IEDs. “These devices are tools of terror used by insurgents, militants, and criminal elements to destabilize communities and inflict fear. The recent blackout in northern Nigeria, caused by insurgents sabotaging the Shiroro-Mando electricity line, is a stark reminder of this menace,” he said. The proliferation of IEDs, he added, has disrupted lives, properties, and socio-economic activities, underscoring the urgent need for collective efforts to address the threat.

The training also reflects international collaboration, with Major General Laka expressing gratitude to the United States Embassy, the British High Commission, and the United Kingdom for their unwavering support. He further acknowledged the National Security Adviser for providing resources and the PC4 for initiating the exercise.

Participants are encouraged to make the most of this training to showcase their professionalism and readiness during next week’s Exercise RAPID RESPONSE 1. “This is a unified effort to anticipate, detect, and defuse IED threats with precision and speed,” Laka concluded.

The training marks a significant step in Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to enhance national security and strengthen its crisis response capabilities.

By PRNigeria