The Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mrs. Zubaida Umar, has reaffirmed the Agency’s commitment to work closely with the Defence Headquarters Department of Search and Rescue to further strengthen collaboration with the military Disaster Response Units (DRUs) for efficient and well-coordinated emergency response.
 
She gave the assurance Tuesday while receiving the Director of Search and Rescue from the Defence Headquarters, Air Vice Marshal Idi Sani, who paid a courtesy visit to her office at NEMA Headquarters in Abuja.
 
Mrs. Zubaida Umar noted that NEMA places high priority on coordination in disaster management, particularly when handling major incidents that require rapid deployment, specialised assets, and national-level command support. She highlighted the strategic role of the Nigerian Armed Forces in search and rescue, evacuation, logistics, and stabilisation during emergencies, describing the military as a critical partner in national response architecture.
 
The DG NEMA expressed appreciation for the longstanding cooperation between the Agency and the Armed Forces and underscored the importance of sustaining joint training, simulation exercises, communication interoperability, and information sharing to ensure seamless disaster response. She assured that NEMA remains open to deepen collaboration and leverage the capacity of the military to improve overall national preparedness.
 
The Director of Defence Search and Rescue, AVM Idi Sani, stated that the visit was aimed at strengthening the existing strategic partnership with NEMA, particularly in the areas of capacity building, resource deployment, and operational readiness. 
 
He commended NEMA for its coordinating role and reiterated the commitment of the Defence Search and Rescue Department to facilitate and strengthen   interface of the Agency with the DRUs to enhance timely response to emergency across the country.