Nigerian Army Reaffirms Commitment to National Disaster Response, Strengthens Partnership with NEMA
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to strengthening national disaster preparedness, emergency response and humanitarian assistance as part of efforts to enhance Nigeria’s overall security framework.
The COAS made the commitment on Friday while receiving the Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mrs. Zubaida Abubakar Umar, during a courtesy visit to the Army Headquarters in Abuja.
Lieutenant General Shaibu described NEMA as a strategic partner whose mandate closely complements the Nigerian Army’s constitutional responsibility of supporting civil authorities during emergencies and other national crises.
He assured the agency of the Army’s readiness to provide prompt and effective operational support during disaster situations across the country.
The Army Chief disclosed that the Nigerian Army has established specialised Disaster Response Units (DRUs) across all geopolitical zones to ensure rapid deployment to flood-prone and other high-risk areas whenever the need arises.
To further strengthen inter-agency collaboration, the COAS directed the Chief of Training (Army) to grant NEMA access to the Land Forces Simulation Centre for joint tabletop exercises and scenario-based planning aimed at improving coordination, operational planning and emergency response.
He emphasised the importance of proactive disaster management through intelligence-driven planning and preventive measures, urging NEMA to intensify monitoring of critical infrastructure such as dams and reservoirs while promoting regional cooperation on transboundary water management to minimise the impact of seasonal flooding.
According to him, effective disaster management depends on functional early warning systems, timely dissemination of information and close collaboration among relevant agencies to safeguard lives, protect critical infrastructure and sustain socio-economic activities.
Earlier, the Director-General of NEMA, Mrs. Zubaida Abubakar Umar, commended the Nigerian Army for its continued 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 that simulation exercises would be conducted in vulnerable states, including Oyo, Cross River and Adamawa, to strengthen emergency preparedness.
Mrs. Umar also appealed for increased military support in engineering, aviation and search-and-rescue operations to further improve the country’s disaster response capacity.
The meeting reaffirmed the commitment of both institutions to deepening collaboration in disaster preparedness, emergency response and humanitarian operations to better protect lives and property across Nigeria.
Nigerian Army Reaffirms Commitment to National Disaster Response, Strengthens Partnership with NEMA