Federal Government Tests Nigeria’s Emergency Response in Delta and Urges Calm

Nigeria’s emergency-response agencies are being put through a five-day crisis simulation in Delta State, with officials warning residents not to mistake the exercise for a real security incident.

The Office of the National Security Adviser began the Rapid Response 3 Crisis Response Exercise 2026 in Asaba on Monday. The exercise brings together ministries, departments and agencies involved in crisis management and will run until Friday, September 11.

Rear Admiral Adedotun Ayo-Vaughan, director of the Presidential Command and Control Centre, said the exercise would test existing response plans, procedures, coordination mechanisms and operational capabilities. It is designed to strengthen cooperation between agencies, communications, command and control, rapid deployment and the management of a crisis’s consequences.

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Rapid Response 3 is the codename of the 2026 crisis response exercise organised by the Office of the National Security Adviser.

Participating agencies will work through the Gold, Silver and Bronze command levels established under Nigeria’s National Crisis Management Doctrine. The scenarios will test how quickly agencies can respond, coordinate their efforts and manage the aftermath of a complex emergency. Ayo-Vaughan said the exercise is controlled and does not represent an actual emergency or security incident.

The exercise marks the first time the National Security Adviser’s office has conducted the crisis-response exercise outside the Federal Capital Territory. Officials selected locations after reconnaissance missions intended to assess their suitability and realism. The exercise will take place in four phases: two days of enabler training, the main exercise on Thursday, and an after-action review on Friday. Observations from stakeholders, observers, planners and commanders will be recorded to improve future exercises. Ayo-Vaughan also cautioned the public against panic as security vehicles, personnel and emergency-response teams move through the area.

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The exercise is a scheduled multi-agency simulation exercise designed to evaluate and strengthen Nigeria’s preparedness and capacity to respond effectively to complex emergencies and security-related incidents.