Aviation Security Crisis Exercise at Garoua International Airport
Published: Wednesday, 10 December 2025 19:41
The Cameroon Civil Aviation Authority (CCAA) organized this exercise on 10 December 2025, based on the simulation of an act of unlawful interference perpetrated on this platform. Named "Bénoué 2", it was placed under the authority of Mr. ABATTE EDI’I Jean, Governor of the North Region, who served as the Director of the said exercise. The exercise constituted a test, carried out by the CCAA, of the existing security framework.
The scenario started with the uncontained intrusion of a commando into the check-in counter area, followed by the detonation of an explosive device by the perpetrator.
A general panic ensued within the airport, triggering various alerts that led to different interventions from the airport services and those deployed outside Garoua International Airport.
Expertly crafted by the CCAA teams, this scenario aimed to evaluate the airport's crisis management plan, its response mechanisms to acts of unlawful interference established on the site, encompassing both infrastructure—notably the recently constructed Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) for crisis management—and the procedures and resources of the various services, administrations, and aeronautical partners.
In accordance with international standards, ICAO Annex 17, Standard 5.1.4, requires that measures be available to protect civil aviation against acts of unlawful interference, and that contingency plans be tested regularly. Furthermore, ICAO Annex 14, Standard 9.1.13, also mandates that airport emergency plans be tested every two years.
To ensure compliance with these standards and to prepare all Garoua airport services to respond in the event of an act of unlawful interference, the CCAA organized this exercise, which follows the partial exercise "Bénoué 1" conducted at the same airport on 15 December 2018.
The deployment of the various parties, the dedication, and the dynamism demonstrated by the services during the interventions led to the successful conclusion of the exercise. This included the promptness of the health services in providing care for the injured, the timely arrival of the bomb disposal unit to verify the affected area, and the mobilization of firefighters, the police, the gendarmerie, ASECNA, communications teams, etc.
Ultimately, the commando was apprehended, and normal airport operations were restored.
During the debriefing, both positive aspects and areas for improvement were noted by the participants and observers, including the representative from ICAO.
The Governor of the North Region, Director of the exercise, commended the synergy that reigned among the different airport services. He then took the opportunity to invite the ADC (Aéroports Du Cameroun) to equip the airport with more modern facilities so that it may fully fulfill its role as an international airport. Furthermore, while encouraging the CCAA to maintain security at the site, the Governor announced that the process of securing the Garoua airport domain will be intensified in 2026.
Translation: MKG/ARO-PRU
