The National Emergency Management Agency has conducted a search and rescue simulation at Jabi Lake in Abuja to assess the preparedness of emergency responders for boat accidents and drowning incidents.
The exercise brought together emergency management agencies, firefighters, security personnel, local divers and other first responders to test their ability to coordinate rescue operations.
The exercise began with a technical session at the National Emergency Management Agency’s Abuja Operations Office, where participants discussed challenges affecting disaster management and the need for cooperation among responding agencies.
The teams later moved to Jabi Lake for an on-site assessment.
At the lake, rescue teams demonstrated the recovery of victims from water, first aid administration and emergency evacuation, exposing strengths and gaps in existing response procedures.
Head of the agency’s Abuja Operations Office, Zakari Abubakar, says the exercise is necessary as increasing recreational activities around water bodies raise the risk of emergencies.
Beyond the practical exercise, stakeholders stressed the importance of coordination during emergencies, warning that rivalry among agencies could delay rescue operations.
Other participants called for regular joint training and sustained public awareness campaigns, particularly in riverine and lakeside communities.
The stakeholders agreed that regular simulation exercises and training would improve the confidence and preparedness of emergency responders while reassuring the public of timely assistance during emergencies.
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Editor: Ada Ononye
