As part of efforts to strengthen disaster preparedness in high-risk communities, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has commenced a full-scale flood response simulation exercise, code-named Exercise Hadin Kai, in Kebbi State.
The Simulation Exercise (SIMEX), which began on Monday, 4th August 2025, is scheduled to run through Thursday, 8th August 2025, and involves a series of activities designed to test and enhance inter-agency coordination and community readiness in responding to flood emergencies.
At the opening session held at the Government House Conference Hall, Birnin Kebbi, the Director General of NEMA, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, was represented by the Director of Search and Rescue, Air Commodore Kenneth Oyong. The event featured a stakeholders’ meeting and capacity-building training to prepare participants for the simulation.
The Executive Governor of Kebbi State, Dr. Nasiru Idris, was represented by the Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Empowerment, Hon. Muhammadu Hamidu Jarkuka, who formally declared the event open.
Also addressing the gathering were the Director of NEMA North West Zonal Office, Alhaji Sani Lokoja, and the Executive Secretary of Kebbi State Emergency Management Agency (KBSEMA), who delivered the welcome address.
Several critical stakeholders delivered goodwill messages emphasizing the significance of collaborative efforts in disaster response, particularly in mitigating the impact of flooding.
The opening session featured technical presentations and a panel discussion. The first presentation, delivered by Assistant Director of Operations, Mr. Labaran Ahman, focused on safety concerns during search, rescue, and evacuation operations in flood situations. The second presentation, by Deputy Director of Operations, Mr. Eugene Nyelong, addressed issues related to displacement, sheltering, and protection of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and refugees during emergencies.
Stakeholders present at the event included:
Kebbi State Emergency Management Agency (KBSEMA)
Sokoto State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA)
Federal and State Fire Services
National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA)
Disaster Response Units (Nigerian Army)
Nigeria Police Force
Nigeria Red Cross Society
Sokoto Rima River Basin Development Authority
Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA)
Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC)
Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC)
Local divers and boat operators
Members of the host community (Dukku)
Media representatives
Following the technical session, a team led by Air Commodore Kenneth Oyong, along with representatives from KBSEMA, Kebbi State Government, and other stakeholders, proceeded to the identified simulation site in Dukku community for inspection, site planning, and set-up of the exercise.
4th August, 2025
