NEMA Seeks Stronger Ties with Oyo Police, Proposes Disaster Management Unit

The South-West Zonal Directorate of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has paid a familiarisation visit to the Oyo State Police Command to strengthen inter-agency collaboration in disaster management.

In a statement shared on NEMA’s official X handle on Wednesday, the agency said the visit, which took place on Tuesday, September 16, was led by Zonal Director Mr. Akiode Saheed, accompanied by senior officers from the Directorate and the Ibadan Operations Office. The delegation was received by Commissioner of Police Mr. Femi Haruna, PSC, and other senior officers at the Police Headquarters, Eleyele, Ibadan.

Mr. Saheed, who conveyed the greetings of NEMA’s Director General, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, told the Commissioner that the visit was to brief the Command on NEMA’s current strategic plans and reinforce the long-standing institutional partnership between both agencies. He commended the police for their crucial role in emergency response and urged the Command to establish a Disaster Management Unit similar to the Disaster Response Unit (DRU) of the Nigerian military.

In his response, Commissioner Haruna welcomed the initiative, assuring NEMA of the Command’s continued support. He also approved the creation of a dedicated Disaster Management Unit within the Oyo State Police Command.

The visit comes days after NEMA’s frontline role in the Lagos building collapse at Alagomeji, Ebute Metta, where two trapped construction workers were rescued after four days under the rubble, while several others were saved or recovered in joint operations with state agencies.

NEMA’s engagement with the police, alongside its swift disaster response efforts, underscores the importance of proactive planning, inter-agency synergy, and preventive measures in building a more resilient national emergency response system.