ONSA COMMENCES FIRST NATIONAL CRISIS RESPONSE EXERCISE OUTSIDE FCT IN DELTA
The Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) has commenced the 2026 Rapid Response 3 (RR3) Crisis Response Exercise in Asaba, Delta State, marking the first time the national multi-agency crisis simulation is being conducted outside the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The five-day exercise, which began on Monday, September 7, and ends Friday, September 11, 2026, brings together relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), security and emergency response organisations, strategic partners and other stakeholders to test and strengthen Nigeria’s preparedness and capacity to respond to complex emergencies and security-related incidents. The Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation is a key partner in this exercise.
Speaking at the opening ceremony in Asaba, the Director, Presidential Command and Control Centre, ONSA, and Director of the Exercise, Rear Admiral Ayo-Vaughan, said RR3 is designed to evaluate existing crisis response plans, strengthen inter-agency coordination and identify gaps requiring further improvement.
“Rapid Response 3 is the codename of the 2026 crisis response exercise organised by the Office of the National Security Adviser,” he said.
He explained that the exercise is the seventh national crisis response simulation conducted by ONSA, with the previous six held in Abuja. The choice of Delta State for the 2026 edition, he said, provides an opportunity to test national crisis-response arrangements in a sub-national environment.
The full-scale exercise will feature two simulated crisis scenarios, to be conducted sequentially at the Asaba International Airport and along the Benin-Asaba Expressway.
Participants will operate under the Gold, Silver and Bronze command structure established by the National Crisis Management Doctrine, representing strategic, operational and tactical levels of coordination.
The exercise will also assess communication and information-sharing systems, command and control arrangements, operational procedures and the ability of participating agencies to respond effectively to simulated emergencies.
The opening ceremony was attended by the Delta State Governor, His Excellency Sheriff Oborevwori, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Kingsley Eze Emu, as well as senior government officials, security and emergency response commanders, heads of MDAs, strategic partners and members of the media.
ONSA has assured residents that the exercise is a controlled simulation and does not represent an actual emergency or security incident.
The public may witness increased movements of security personnel, vehicles and emergency response teams around designated areas during the exercise. Residents are therefore advised not to panic or mistake the activities for a real emergency.
Rear Admiral Ayo-Vaughan also urged the media to report only verified information and avoid the dissemination of unconfirmed reports capable of causing public alarm.
He said lessons and observations from the exercise would be documented and used to strengthen Nigeria’s national crisis management architecture and improve future multi-agency responses to complex emergencies.
Adefolarin Faturoti
For: Director, Public Relations and Protocol
Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation
Monday, 7 September, 2026
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