NSCDC Commences Emergency Preparedness And Respond Review

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Chemical, Biological Radiological and Nuclear Unit established by the Commandant General Dr. Ade Abolurin to tackle emergency situations related to Chemical Poisoning, Radiological Element, Biological and Nuclear explosions carried out simulation exercise after a week training of the Corps personnel.

This was planned and carried out in conjunction with International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and Nigeria Nuclear and Regulatory Agency (NNRA) in preparation towards countering nuclear disaster in line with the international best practice.

According to the Commandant of the unit Mr. Fleix Oke, the simulation exercise is anchored on “Transportation Accident involving a Radio Active Source”, thereby preparing personnel ahead of their responsibilities as the country gears towards establishment of nuclear energy.

In the same vein, the Commandant General of the Corps Dr. Ade Abolurin appreciated the unit by expressing that, earlier before now, people are not conscious of the implication of the destructive tendencies of the weapon of mass destruction invented, which is capable of creating more damage, bringing calamity and untold hardship to the nations.

He further stressed that the essence of establishing the CBRN unit is to raise the consciousness of the people by sensitizing them towards the different dimension of crime which hitherto, the use of gun and other conventional weapons have change to the use of chemical, bombs and other dangerous substances.  Therefore there is need to train personnel sufficiently to face the challenges ahead.

Similarly, the leader of the delegation Mr. Pablo Jerez of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) expressed great satisfaction with the Corps CBRN Unit and said both IAEA and NNRA will keep partnering and supporting the unit with all necessary tools and equipment needed to carry out the assignment.

He further called for constant training and retraining of the personnel at all levels, synergy between the unit and NNRA as well as other stake holders in disaster management, Mitigation and Response Agencies in tackling Chemical, Radiological and Nuclear related issues.

DCC, Okeh Emmanuel .O.
CDPRO