Odimmegwa Johnpeter/Abuja
The Nigerian Army and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) have strengthened their strategic partnership to enhance nationwide disaster preparedness, emergency response and humanitarian assistance, with a renewed focus on mitigating the impact of anticipated flooding across the country.
The commitment was reaffirmed on Friday as the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, received the Director-General of NEMA, Mrs. Zubaida Abubakar Umar, during a courtesy visit to the Army Headquarters in Abuja.
Speaking during the meeting, the COAS described disaster management as a critical component of national security, stressing that the Nigerian Army remains fully committed to supporting civil authorities in responding swiftly and effectively to emergencies across the country.
Lieutenant General Shaibu noted that NEMA remains one of the Army’s key strategic partners, adding that the agency’s mandate aligns closely with the military’s constitutional responsibility of assisting civil authorities during disasters and other emergencies.
To strengthen the country’s disaster response architecture, the Army Chief disclosed that the Nigerian Army has established specialised Disaster Response Units (DRUs) across all geopolitical zones. According to him, the units have been strategically equipped and positioned for rapid deployment to flood-prone communities and other disaster hotspots nationwide.
In a major step towards improving inter-agency preparedness, the COAS directed the Chief of Training (Army) to grant NEMA access to the Army’s Land Forces Simulation Centre for joint tabletop exercises and scenario-based planning. He explained that the initiative would enhance coordination, improve decision-making and strengthen operational readiness before actual field deployments.
Lieutenant General Shaibu also underscored the importance of intelligence-driven disaster risk management, urging NEMA to intensify surveillance of critical infrastructure such as dams and reservoirs while promoting stronger regional collaboration on transboundary water management to reduce the devastating effects of seasonal flooding.
He maintained that effective disaster management depends on robust early warning systems, timely dissemination of information and seamless collaboration among relevant agencies, stressing that a coordinated national response remains essential to safeguarding lives, protecting infrastructure and sustaining economic activities.
Earlier, NEMA Director-General Mrs. Zubaida Abubakar Umar commended the Nigerian Army for its consistent support in disaster management operations across the country.
She disclosed that forecasts indicate a high risk of flooding in 33 states during the current rainy season and announced plans to conduct disaster simulation exercises in vulnerable states, including Oyo, Cross River and Adamawa, as part of measures to strengthen emergency preparedness.
Mrs. Umar appealed for increased military support, particularly in the areas of engineering, aviation and search-and-rescue operations, noting that such collaboration would significantly enhance Nigeria’s capacity to respond effectively to disasters and minimise the impact of emergencies on affected communities.
The renewed collaboration between the Nigerian Army and NEMA is expected to reinforce national disaster management efforts, improve emergency response coordination and ensure better protection of lives and property as the country prepares for the peak of the 2026 rainy season.
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