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| Photo shows L-R: Executive Secretary, Kebbi State Emergency Management Agency, Alhaji Abubakar Abdullahi; Kebbi State Commissioner of Humanitarian Affairs, Alhaji Mohammed Hamidu Jarkuka; Director General, NEMA, Mrs Zubaida Umar; Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement for Northwest, Alhaji Abdullahi Yakasai; and Director, Search and Rescue, NEMA, Air Commodore Kenneth Oyong; during the exercise |
To enhance disaster preparedness at the grassroots level, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) recently carried out an extensive flood simulation exercise in Dukku, a riverine settlement located on the outskirts of Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State.
Dukku is recognized as one of the highest flood-risk communities for the upcoming 2025 season, primarily due to the river that traverses the area, heightening its susceptibility to flooding.
This exercise aims to equip local residents and emergency responders with vital skills and strategies to effectively manage potential flood emergencies.
The simulation exercise, organized in collaboration with the Kebbi State Government, was designed to test flood response plans, improve stakeholder coordination, and raise public awareness of potential disasters.
A press release signed by Manzo Ezekiel,
Head, NEMA Press Unit, explains that the exercise is part of NEMA’s broader preparedness strategy targeting flood-prone areas across Nigeria, especially in the North West and North Central zones.
Leading the exercise was the Director General of NEMA, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, who emphasized the importance of readiness and collaboration in saving lives during disasters. She noted that the simulation was aimed at enhancing coordination, communication, and operational efficiency among all disaster response stakeholders.
She said, “as we all know, flooding remains one of the most recurrent and devastating natural disasters in Nigeria, with far-reaching impacts on lives, livelihoods, infrastructure, and communities. We are simulating a crisis today so that we are better prepared to save lives when it becomes a reality. Let me reiterate that preparedness saves lives.”
She added that the exercise was also intended to identify gaps in existing response mechanisms and strengthen multi-agency collaboration across the region.
Participants in the exercise were critical first responders, including military Disaster Response Units (DRUs), the Nigeria Police, Federal Fire Service, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), and the Nigerian Red Cross Society.
The simulation was meant to also highlight the flood risks that may arise from intense rainfall and the potential overflow of dams in the region, which could significantly impact communities.
As part of the Agency’s support to the common, the Director General NEMA Mrs Zubaida Umar also presented life jackets to residents of Dukku to aid their personal safety in the event of flooding.
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