NEMA AND POLICE COLLABORATE TO ENHANCE DISASTER RESPONSE IN OYO
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BY OWOLABI OLUWADARA
The South-West Zonal Directorate of the National Emergency Management Agency conducted a familiarization visit to the Oyo State Police Command on Tuesday, September 16, as part of ongoing initiatives to enhance inter-agency cooperation in disaster management.
In a statement disseminated via NEMA’s official platform X on Wednesday, the organization disclosed that the delegation, headed by NEMA Zonal Director Mr. Akiode Saheed, accompanied by key officials from the Directorate and the Ibadan Operations Office, was welcomed by Commissioner of Police Mr. Femi Haruna, PSC, along with senior personnel at the Police Headquarters in Eleyele, Ibadan.
During the visit, Mr. Saheed extended the regards of NEMA Director General Mrs. Zubaida Umar and the Agency’s team to the Commissioner, stating, “We are here to inform the Command about NEMA’s strategic initiatives under our current leadership and to strengthen the enduring institutional collaboration between our agencies. ”
He commended the police for their essential role, emphasizing the “long-standing symbiotic relationship” between NEMA and the Nigeria Police Force, and added, “We also advocate for the creation of a Disaster Management Unit within the Police Command, akin to the Disaster Response Unit (DRU) of the Nigerian military. ”
Commissioner of Police Haruna welcomed the visit, expressing gratitude and offering assurances of support: “We appreciate this visit and pledge the Command’s steadfast commitment to enhancing synergy and collaboration with your Agency. ” He further endorsed the establishment of a dedicated Disaster Management Unit within the Command.
It should be noted that the media reported on September 16 that NEMA played an instrumental role in rescuing two construction workers who had been trapped for four days beneath the debris of a collapsed building at 333 Borno Way, Alagomeji, Ebute Metta, Lagos.
According to NEMA’s Day 2 incident report, the agency recovered one body on Saturday, while the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency confirmed that six victims had been rescued and four bodies retrieved by Monday.
The visit by NEMA to the Oyo State Police Command, in conjunction with its frontline role in rescue operations such as the Lagos building collapse, underscores the significance of proactive disaster management and enhanced partnerships between security and emergency agencies.
By strengthening cooperation, establishing disaster units, and prioritizing preventive measures, Nigeria can develop a more resilient emergency response framework capable of saving lives and mitigating the effects of future crises.
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