FIC REPORT (DELTA STATE) – Security experts and personnel, including Service Chiefs from various security agencies and other key Stakeholders , on Monday 7th September 2026, commenced a five day Crisis Response Simulation Exercise in Asaba the Delta State capital.
The 2026 exercise which is the seventh edition of Nigera’s national crisis response exercise, and the first to be held outside the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, is an annual counter terrorism management exercise conducted by the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), with the aim of testing the preparedness, responsiveness and inter-agency coordination of security and emergency management by stakeholders in handling complex security situations.
Delivering his opening remarks and welcoming stakeholders and participants during the opening session, on behalf of the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, the Director Presidential Communication Command and Control Centre, Office of the NSA, Rear Admiral Ayo Vaughan Olukayode said the exercise was designed to validate existing crisis response plans, test established preparedness among stakeholders, identify capability gaps and strengthen coordination among relevant agencies.
He noted that the exercise would provide participating agencies and stakeholders, the opportunity to test their capacity to respond promptly and effectively to simulated emergencies while also assessing communication, information sharing, command and control arrangements.
Admiral Olukayode explained that Rapid Response 3 would also help identify challenges and areas requiring improvement in the national crisis response architecture while enhancing the capability of personnel, to coordinate multi-agency operations.
Emphasizing further on the purpose of the exercise, he stated that it was aimed to provide participants with a common understanding of the exercise objectives, the concept of operations, participating organisations, administrative requirements and other essential information necessary for the safe and successful conduct of the exercise.
He added that the brief also intended to ensure that all participants understand their respective roles and responsibilities with the aim of operating within the exercise approved framework.
According to him, Rapid Response 3 was designed to assess and enhance preparedness, responsiveness, inter-agency coordination and crisis management capability of relevant stakeholders in responding to security and emergency situations. He added that the exercise would be conducted as a full-scale crisis response involving three levels of Command namely; Gold, Silver and Bronze covering two seneriors to be conducted sequentially, with the first senerior taking place at the Asaba International Airport while the second would be carried out around Okpanam axis along the Asaba-Benin Expressway.
The NSA representative called on participants to treat all incidents as simulated and respond strictly in accordance with established operational procedures and contingency plans. He also charged participating Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to maintain clear reporting channels and ensure that information was transmitted through the appropriate command structure.
Meanwhile, he cautioned that no participant should undertake any action capable of endangering other personnel, members of the public, infrastructure or equipment.
Speaking on public sensitisation measures, Rear Admiral Olukayode noted that SMS, radio, television messages and other information dissemination channels had been put in place to prevent misunderstanding or panic among members of the public.
He identified key objectives to be achieved during the exercise to include; to assess the effectiveness of existing crisis response plans and procedures, test the capacity of participating agencies to respond properly and effectively to simulated crisis situations, assess inter-agency coordination, communication and information sharing mechanism, test the effectiveness of command, control and coordination arrangements, identify gaps, challenges and areas requiring improvement.
He commended all participating agencies and members of the exercise planning team for their commitment, cooperation and invaluable contributions towards the planning and preparation for the historic event.
He equally thanked and expressed appreciation to the Delta State Government particularly, His Excellency, the Governor of Delta State Rt. Hon. Elder Sheriff Oborevwori for accepting to host the annual event held outside Abuja for the first time.
Strategic partners and United Kingdom Official Mr. Han Tyler who joined the session virtually and a representative from the German Technical Advisory Team Mr. Thomas Eintonuel also spoke at the event.
The Chief host and Governor Delta State Rt. Hon. Elder Sheriff Oborevwori who was represented at the occasion by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr. Kingsley Emu, commended the Office of the National Security Adviser led by Mallam Nuhu Ribadu for choosing Delta State as the first State to host the annual event outside the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and further commended President Ahmed Bola Tinubu GCFR, for his administration’s efforts in tackling security challenges across the nation and emphasized the need for Nigerians to continue to support the Tinubu led administration. He affirmed the readiness of the State to host the event which is expected to end on Thursday 10th September, 2026.
The event was attended by top State Government digintaries, the Delta State Police Commissioner CP. Samuel Etaifo Erale psc, acipm, mnips among other Paramilitary Chiefs in Delta State.
Celestine Afokobah
FIC Asaba Delta State
8th September, 2026.
