.…NEMA, Adamawa Conclude Flood Simulation Exercise Ahead Of Lagdo Dam Release
The National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, in collaboration with the Adamawa State Government, has concluded a full-scale flood disaster response simulation exercise in Yola to test coordination and response protocols ahead of potential flooding.*
The exercise, held on Thursday, August 20, 2026, was supported by the Anticipatory Action Task Force, AATF, and was designed to address risks from the annual water release of Cameroon’s Lagdo Dam and Adamawa’s high-risk rating in the 2026 Seasonal Climate Prediction.
Representing the NEMA Director-General, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, the Director of Search and Rescue, Air Commodore B.A. Usman, said the drill was a proactive measure to identify gaps, strengthen inter-agency interoperability, and validate existing plans.
She noted that flooding remains a recurrent hazard in Nigeria and commended UN partners under the AATF, including WFP, IOM and UNICEF, for their support. She urged participants to integrate lessons learned into future policies.
Flagging off the exercise, Adamawa State Deputy Governor, Prof. Kaletapwa George Farauta, who represented Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, said last year’s devastating floods highlighted the need for heightened alertness. She reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to disaster risk reduction, early warning systems and emergency response capacity, and urged communities to heed advisories.
The simulation, codenamed “Ex HISNUGO Yankiiji” meaning “saving lives” in Fulfulde, followed a three-phase cycle: early warning from NiMet and NIHSA to high-risk communities, early action by AATF to sensitize residents and relocate them, and early recovery through distribution of relief materials by NEMA and ADSEMA.
As part of the drill, the Air Force provided trucks for relief items under Military Assistance to Civil Authorities, while NIWA donated life jackets to the state government.
Also present were state commissioners, members of the Executive Council, Chairman of Yola North LGA, traditional rulers and representatives of the Adamawa State Association of the Deaf, ASAD.
Observers from Abuja praised the clear communication, coordination, security and community collaboration.
They recommended extending lead times for NiMet, NIHSA and NASRDA and consolidating warnings into one unified alert.
They also urged communities to complement official systems with local indicators such as observing debris on rivers.
