The Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) has called for sustained crisis simulation exercises at sub-national levels to strengthen Nigeria’s emergency response capacity.

The Exercise Chief Umpire, Navy Capt. Andrew Zidon, made the recommendation on Friday at the end of the five-day exercise in Asaba.

The exercise, codenamed Rapid Response 3, began on September 7 and was organised by ONSA to strengthen inter-agency coordination during complex security and emergency situations.

Mr Zidon said the exercise was designed to equip relevant personnel and agencies to respond effectively to emergencies, including banditry, kidnapping, floods and fires.

He said the Asaba exercise was the first time the simulation would be conducted outside Abuja.

“This is to enable us draw lessons for the agencies and the crisis response architecture of our country,” Mr Zidon said.

He said the practical simulation was conducted on Thursday at Asaba International Airport and along the Benin-Asaba Highway.

“The more you sweat in peace, the less you bleed in war,” Mr Zidon said, stressing the importance of building national resilience beyond kinetic security.

He said national resilience also involved the capacity to respond effectively to natural disasters, armed interventions and other emergencies.

According to Mr Zidon, the exercise identified gaps and challenges that can undermine agencies’ ability to respond effectively during real-life emergencies.

He recommended that ONSA support relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) with improved crisis-response equipment and additional logistics.

Mr Zidon also recommended using facilities during non-peak periods to conduct more realistic simulations and sustain crisis-response exercises at sub-national levels.

He urged the aviation sector to be adequately incorporated into the National Crisis Management Document to strengthen intervention during emergencies.

In his closing remarks, Director, Presidential Communication Command and Control Centre, ONSA, Rear Adm. Olukayode Ayo-Vaughan, thanked participants and stakeholders for contributing to the exercise’s success.

Mr Ayo-Vaughan said observations, identified gaps and recommendations from the exercise would be communicated to the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, in Abuja.

He said the exercise sought to assess existing crisis-response plans and procedures and test participating agencies’ ability to respond promptly to simulated emergencies.

The exercise also assessed inter-agency coordination, communication and information-sharing mechanisms among participating agencies.

Mr Ayo-Vaughan thanked the Delta State Government and other stakeholders for their support, noting that there was always room for improvement.

Participants were drawn from relevant MDAs, including the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and other stakeholders.

 (NAN)