NEMA, Police deepen partnership on disaster response in Oyo

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has pledged closer collaboration with the Oyo State Police Command to strengthen disaster management and emergency response.

South-West Zonal Director of NEMA, Mr. Akiode Saheed, led a delegation on a courtesy visit to Commissioner of Police Femi Haruna at the Command Headquarters, Eleyele, Ibadan.

Saheed, who conveyed the goodwill of NEMA Director General, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, commended the police for their vital role in disaster response. He also called for the establishment of a Disaster Management Unit within the Command, similar to the Disaster Response Unit (DRU) of the Nigerian military.

Haruna welcomed the initiative and pledged the Command’s commitment to improved synergy with NEMA. He further approved the request for a dedicated Disaster Management Unit.

The visit comes on the heels of NEMA’s involvement in the rescue of construction workers trapped under a collapsed building at Alagomeji, Ebute Metta, Lagos, where several lives were saved.

Stakeholders say enhanced cooperation between security agencies and disaster managers is key to building a more resilient emergency response system across the country.