As part of measures to enhance emergency response and save lives during the 2025 flood season, the National Emergency Management Agency on Tuesday deployed Mobile Intensive Care Unit ambulances in some of its operation offices across the country.
The Director General of NEMA, Zubaida Umar, approved the deployment following an assessment that revealed critical equipment gaps in some of the field offices.
The decision aligned with the agency’s ongoing efforts to optimise resource allocation and improve disaster response capabilities at the sub-national level.
The ambulances have been dispatched to NEMA’s operational offices in Kaduna, Kaduna State, Owerri, Imo State and Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, based on vulnerability assessments and logistical considerations.
Umar said the deployment is a strategic step towards strengthening the operational capacity of NEMA zonal directorates and operation offices.
She said, “With the increasing risk of climate-induced disasters, particularly flooding, it is imperative that our teams are well-equipped to provide immediate and effective life-saving interventions.
“The MICU ambulances are equipped with modern emergency medical tools, including oxygen supply systems, patient monitoring devices, suction kits, and other essential life support equipment.
“These features make them suitable for stabilising patients during transit to medical facilities, thereby significantly improving survival chances in emergency situations.
“This initiative reflects NEMA’s broader commitment to building a robust disaster preparedness and response framework nationwide.
“With current climatic forecasts indicating a high probability of severe flooding in several states, the agency has intensified its efforts to upgrade infrastructure, enhance inter-agency coordination, and engage communities in risk awareness programmes.
“In addition to the deployment of the advanced rescue equipment, NEMA continues to conduct flood simulation exercises, community sensitisation campaigns, and stakeholder coordination meetings as part of its comprehensive disaster risk reduction strategy.”
NiMet’s flash flood risk alert for July 2025, released on Monday by the agency, showed the states with varying probable risks of experiencing flash flooding events due to the onset of rainfall across the country.
The agency said, “Sokoto State has a high risk of experiencing flash floods. Other states with notable risk of flash flooding are Kaduna, Zamfara, Yobe, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Jigawa, Adamawa, Taraba, Niger, Nasarawa, Benue, Ogun, Ondo, Lagos, Delta, Edo, Cross River, Rivers and Akwa Ibom.”
The agency advised residents of the states to relocate if necessary, clear drainage systems, prepare emergency kits, turn off electricity and gas during flooding, strengthen mudslide prevention, and promote community awareness.
