The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and Federal Fire Service (FFS) have intensified preventive measures to save lives and minimise avoidable disasters nationwide.

The agencies made this known on Tuesday in Abuja at the Joint Security News Briefing organised by the Office of the National Security Adviser.

The NEMA spokesperson Manzo Ezekiel said the agency was intensifying flood monitoring and early-warning systems, particularly in vulnerable communities.

Mr Ezekiel said NEMA was working with state emergency management agencies, local committees and traditional institutions to translate forecasts into actionable warnings.

He said the agency was monitoring water levels in Lagdo Dam, Cameroon, because of possible flooding along the River Benue.

“Residents of high-risk communities are encouraged to take precautionary measures, including relocation to safer grounds where necessary,” he said.

Mr Ezekiel, however, dismissed reports of an imminent collapse of the Kagini Dam in Kaduna State, saying a joint assessment established that there was no immediate threat.

He said NEMA had activated its National Emergency Operations Centre to strengthen real-time monitoring, information analysis and coordination of flood responses.

He added that the agency had also conducted simulation exercises in Calabar and Adamawa to test emergency procedures and inter-agency coordination ahead of possible flood emergencies.

Mr Ezekiel said NEMA provided relief assistance to 24,625 households, representing 147,750 persons, during July and August.

He said the agency was working with NiMet, NIHSA, NCC, NASRDA and other partners under the Early Warnings for All initiative.

In his presentation, the spokesperson for FRSC, Osondu Ohaeri, said the corps was using aggressive enforcement and targeted patrols to prevent dangerous road practices from translating into crashes and fatalities.

Mr Ohaeri said FRSC arrested 4,691 offenders during Operation Guduma II for offences including dangerous mix-loading, vehicle identity fraud and serious loading violations.

According to him, the Special Patrol Against Overloading made 7,876 arrests, while the nationwide zonal Intervention special patrol apprehended 14,287 traffic offenders.

He said the emergency teams responded to 740 road crashes involving 4,497 people in July, rescuing and evacuating 2,295 injured victims.

“However, 314 fatalities were recorded, underscoring the continuing challenge of preventable road deaths and the need for greater compliance by motorists.

“The corps also recovered four stolen vehicles through its National Vehicle Identification Scheme and supported 54 criminal investigations involving other security and law-enforcement agencies,” he said.

The National Public Relations Officer of FFS, Paul Abraham, said the service’s emergency teams responded to 426 fire incidents during July and August and saved 585 lives.

Mr Abraham added that FFS protected property valued at about N107.98 billion, although property worth N35.89 billion was lost during the period.

According to him, residential buildings accounted for 195 fire incidents, while electrical faults remained the leading cause, responsible for 251 outbreaks.

The service said the figures reinforced the need for stronger fire prevention, safety inspections, public enlightenment and compliance with safety standards.

“The Fire Service also took delivery of two firefighting trucks and continued expanding emergency infrastructure to improve response in underserved communities.

“It further collaborated with the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria towards establishing fire stations across the 774 local government areas.

“The combined interventions point to a growing preventive-safety architecture in which authorities are increasingly seeking to detect hazards, warn communities and enforce compliance before emergencies result in avoidable loss of lives and property,” he said. 

(NAN)