Joseph Bakare
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). 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.
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 Forces in neutralizing the threat while NEMA coordinated first responders in managing the consequences.
Counter-terrorism and insurgency resources (personnel and equipment) such as K-9 Units, Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) assets, Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) teams, Hazardous Materials (Hazmat) specialists, and mass casualty evacuation and management systems were deployed.
The Director General of NEMA, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, who actively participated in the exercise, commended the coordinated efforts of the responding agencies. She 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.
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.