by Stanley Azuakola

It was a morning of panic at the Police Force Headquarters on Friday, for those unaware of the exercise. Passersby scampered in fear, and even uninformed policemen abandoned their duty post, but they did not have to, for it was just a drill.

The Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, took everyone by surprise when he ordered an impromptu Fire Safety and Security drill at the complex. In safe and uncertain times like these, the IG was trying to gauge the preparedness of the force in case of any eventuality.

Shortly after he arrived the premises at about 9am, Abubakar ordered the Anti-Terrorism Squad leader to do a practical demonstration of what would happen if the premises were suddenly the target of an insurgency attack.

Those unaware however, assumed that the Force Headquarters was the target of yet another attack by insurgents and fled in panic.