The Nigerian Airspace Management Agency, NAMA has conducted a full-scale aeronautical search and rescue mock exercise at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, to test the readiness of emergency responders in the event of an aircraft accident or incident.
The simulation, coordinated by NAMA Saturday brought together several key aviation and emergency stakeholders, including the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), the Nigerian Air Force, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), and other emergency service providers.
Speaking after the exercise, the Coordinator of the Search Mission, Mr. Abayomi Agoro, described the drill as a critical Aeronautical Search and Rescue Mock Exercise and a significant event in our ongoing commitment to aviation safety and emergency preparedness.
According to Agoro, Search and Rescue (SAR) operations go beyond legal obligations, they are a solemn assurance to aircrew and passengers that a prompt and coordinated response awaits in times of crisis.
“Our ability to respond rapidly, accurately, and effectively in the event of an air incident can mean the difference between tragedy and survival”.
He emphasized that the exercise was not just a routine drill but a practical demonstration of synergy among agencies, allowing them to test their operational plans, communication channels, inter-agency collaboration, and field efficiency.
Mr. Agoro noted that the simulation also served as an opportunity for training, familiarization with procedures, and evaluating the effectiveness of current strategies.
He stressed the importance of identifying gaps in emergency response and correcting them before a real-life incident occurs.
“Our goal is zero tolerance for uncoordinated or delayed response in emergency situations. Every distress signal must be met with intelligent, swift, and well-coordinated action—because lives depend on it”.
Air Traffic Operations Manager, MMIA, Lagos, Mr. Zubair Issa, also highlighted the importance of the exercise, noting that it provided a real-time opportunity to observe and improve coordination across agencies.
He pointed out that the Air Traffic Control (ATC) tower played a central role in initiating the search and rescue chain of action, as it maintains direct communication with pilots during flight operations.
“The tower is always the first to receive information from the aircraft, and once an emergency is suspected or confirmed, the ATC contacts all relevant agencies immediately”.
He also noted the inclusion of military support in the drill, explaining that their role during real emergencies would be to provide protection and prevent interference by unauthorized persons at crash sites.
Participants and observers hailed the exercise as a success and urged continuous training and collaboration to ensure Nigeria’s aviation safety systems remain responsive and effective.
Reporting by Nosa Aituamen