To boost emergency response ahead of the 2025 flood season, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has dispatched Mobile Intensive Care Unit ambulances to selected offices across various states.
The move aligns with the agency’s continued efforts to enhance resource use and strengthen disaster response at the sub-national level.
Ambulances were sent to NEMA’s operational offices in Kaduna (Kaduna State), Owerri (Imo State), and Uyo (Akwa Ibom State), following vulnerability assessments and logistical planning.
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.”
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), in a flash flood risk alert released on Monday for July 2025, identified several states as likely to face varying levels of flash flooding due to the ongoing 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 urged residents in the affected states to take precautionary steps such as relocating when needed, clearing drainage systems, preparing emergency kits, turning off electricity and gas during floods, reinforcing mudslide control, and raising community awareness.
Meanwhile, flood victims in some Ondo communities have appealed to the state government for help, following the destruction of their properties during last week’s flooding.
