By Nkechi Eze
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Abuja Operations Office has officially flagged off Operation Eagle Eye 2025 at Giri Junction along the Abuja–Lokoja Federal Highway, as part of its coordinated efforts to bolster road safety, improve traffic management, and ensure rapid emergency response during the Christmas and New Year festive season.
The flag-off ceremony was conducted on behalf of the Director-General of NEMA, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, by Dr. Onimode Bandele, Director of Planning, Research and Forecasting, NEMA. The event, hosted by the Abuja Operations Office in collaboration with NEMA Headquarters, brought together key emergency management stakeholders to underscore the importance of proactive disaster risk reduction and inter-agency coordination.
In his remarks, Dr. Bandele highlighted the critical role of Operation Eagle Eye in safeguarding lives and property during periods of increased vehicular movement. He reiterated the Director-General’s commitment to strengthening emergency preparedness and collaboration with partner agencies across the nation.
Welcoming participants, Mr. Zakari Abubakar, Head of the Abuja Operations Office, emphasized the significance of the initiative in complementing the statutory responsibilities of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), noting that the Abuja–Lokoja corridor is one of the busiest highways during the festive season and therefore requires heightened vigilance and operational readiness.
The ceremony featured remarks from Air Commodore Usman Bature, Director of Search and Rescue at NEMA Headquarters, as well as goodwill messages from other stakeholders including Eng. Abdulrahman Mohammed, Director-General of the Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), representatives of the FRSC, the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), and the Nigerian Red Cross Society. All partners reaffirmed their commitment to seamless collaboration throughout the duration of the operation.
Highlights of the event included an inspection of response and extrication equipment to assess operational readiness, followed by a joint patrol along critical sections of the highway, signaling the immediate commencement of field operations.
Operation Eagle Eye 2025 is strategically designed to support traffic control, prevent road traffic crashes, and ensure prompt rescue and emergency response during the Yuletide period. Road users were advised to strictly observe traffic regulations, avoid speeding and reckless driving, and cooperate fully with officials on duty to ensure a safe, orderly, and incident-free festive season.
The initiative underscores NEMA’s commitment to proactive disaster management and the safeguarding of lives and property during Nigeria’s busiest travel periods.
