By Olawale Lamina
The National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, has participated in a National Crisis Response Simulation Exercise, code-named “Ex Rapid Response 2”, organised by the Office of the National Security Adviser-ONSA.
A statement by Head of Press Unit NEMA, Manzo Ezekiel on Thursday informed that the exercise brought together key stakeholders in the nation’s security and emergency management architecture to test inter-agency collaboration, coordination and response to terrorist threats.
According to the statement, the simulation exercise, held at the Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre, Abuja, with a coordinated response to a large-scale Marauding Terrorist Fire Arms (MTFA) attack scenario. The Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) coordinated Nigerian Security Force in neutralizing the threat while NEMA coordinated first responders in managing the consequences. Counter-terrorism and insurgency resources (personal and equipment) such as K-9 Units, Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) assets, Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) teams, Hazardous Materials (Hazmat) specialists, and mass casualty evacuation and management systems were deployed.
The statement further emphasized that the Director General of NEMA, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, actively took part in the exercise and commended the coordinated efforts of the responding agencies.
Mrs. Umar stressed that the exercise provided a critical opportunity to identify gaps, strengthen synergy, and improve efficiency in the country’s emergency preparedness and response framework.
According to her, “this simulation has once again demonstrated the importance of collaboration among stakeholders in tackling emergencies of national concern. It also underscores the need for continuous training, resource integration, and information sharing to enhance our collective capacity for timely and effective response.”
In his remarks, the Director Presidential Communications, Command and Control Centre Rear Admiral Emmanuel Nmoyel,
Who coordinated the exercise, noted that the primary objective of the exercise was to reinforce synergy among agencies, improve joint operations, and enhance resilience against emerging security threats.
The statement said: “NEMA participated in the exercise, being the lead agency responsible for mass casualty management and public health emergency coordination, demonstrating its pivotal role in ensuring the safety and protection of citizens during major incidents.”
The Agency reaffirmed its commitment to sustained interagency cooperation in line with the Federal Government’s drive to strengthen national security and disaster management capabilities.
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