By Atlantic Reports

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has urged staff and partners in Kaduna to treat people affected by disasters with dignity, respect and compassion.

Halima Suleiman, Head of Operations at NEMA’s Kaduna Operations Office, spoke on Wednesday during a stakeholders’ meeting marking the agency’s 2026 Customer Service Week.

She said people facing emergencies or displacement often approached the agency at difficult moments and needed responsive humanitarian support.

Suleiman described the celebration as an opportunity to recognise staff and partners while reinforcing their responsibilities to affected communities.

Community Reports Inform Response

Suleiman said the office received emergency reports from residents rather than complaints about its services. She attributed this to sustained engagement with community leaders and other stakeholders.

That is her assessment of the office’s relationship with the public. The supplied account did not provide complaint records, service-user feedback or other measures to establish the extent of public satisfaction.

She cited a recent report of a diarrhoea outbreak that prompted NEMA and relevant stakeholders to undertake a fact-finding and verification assessment.

According to Suleiman, the assessment found that the Kaduna State Government was taking steps to contain the outbreak. The account did not specify the affected locations, case numbers or measures underway.

Cooperation Across Emergency Services

Suleiman said NEMA’s responsibilities included assisting people affected by emergencies, reducing disaster risks and mitigating their effects on communities.

Representatives of federal and state fire services, the Nigerian Red Cross, Federal Road Safety Corps, National Orientation Agency, National Inland Waterways Authority and other stakeholders attended the meeting.

The engagement highlighted the role of community information and inter-agency cooperation in emergency response. For affected residents, the practical measure remains whether reports lead to timely assessment, appropriate assistance and clear communication about available support.

Atlantic Reports: Voices. People. Facts.