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 key components of Nigeria’s overall security framework.
According to an official statement signed by the Acting Director Army Public Relations, Colonel Apolonia Anele, the COAS gave the assurance on Friday during a courtesy visit by the Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mrs. Zubaida Abubakar Umar, to the Army Headquarters in Abuja.
Lieutenant General Shaibu described NEMA as a critical strategic partner whose mandate aligns closely with the Nigerian Army’s constitutional responsibility of supporting civil authorities in maintaining national stability during emergencies.
He assured the agency of the Army’s readiness to provide swift and effective operational support during disasters across the country, revealing that the Nigerian Army has established specialised Disaster Response Units (DRUs) in all six geopolitical zones. He noted that the units are strategically equipped for rapid deployment to flood-prone and other high-risk areas.
To further enhance inter-agency collaboration and preparedness, 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.
He explained that the initiative is aimed at improving coordination, strengthening decision-making processes and enhancing overall operational efficiency in preparation for disaster response operations across the country.
