NEMA joins security forces in Abuja terror attack simulation exercise

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) in Abuja.

This was contained in a statement signed by Manzo Ezekiel, Head of NEMA Press Unit, on September 18, 2025.

The statement reads partly: “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.”

Mrs Umar said the exercise again highlighted the importance of collaboration in tackling emergencies of national concern, while stressing the need for ongoing training, resource integration, and timely information sharing to strengthen national response capacity.

Rear Admiral Emmanuel Nmoyel, Director of the Presidential Communications, Command and Control Centre, who coordinated the drill, said the primary aim was to reinforce synergy among agencies, improve joint operations, and build resilience against emerging security threats.

NEMA, as the lead agency for mass casualty management and public health emergency coordination, demonstrated its statutory role in safeguarding citizens during large-scale crises.

The Agency also reaffirmed its commitment to inter-agency cooperation in line with the Federal Government’s push to strengthen national security and disaster management capabilities.