By Oghenefejiro Emado
10, September 2026
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Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has urged security and emergency-response agencies in the country to sustain synergy, continuous capacity building, intelligence sharing and rapid response as a strategy to check emerging security threats.
The Governor made the call on Thursday in Asaba at the closing ceremony of the Rapid Response 3 Exercise organised by the Office of the National Security Adviser, ONSA, through the Presidential Communication Command and Control Centre, PC4.
Represented by his Deputy, Sir Monday Onyeme, Governor Oborevwori said the selection of Asaba for the exercise was significant, noting that Delta State is the first sub-national to host the national exercise outside the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
He described the development as a milestone and a positive shift in crisis response awareness and training.
According to him, the security challenges facing the nation are complex and dynamic and require courage, professionalism, effective coordination, intelligence sharing and the support of citizens.
He said the Rapid Response 3 Exercise is an audacious initiative aimed at reining in insurgency, terrorism and other forms of criminality that have troubled the country for years.
On behalf of the government and people of Delta State, he congratulated participants on the successful completion of the exercise and said it has again demonstrated that national security is a collective responsibility.
The Governor recalled that the same understanding was reflected in the theme and deliberations of the Delta Security Summit held on June 17, 2026.
He expressed conviction that the Rapid Response 3 Exercise provided a solid platform for security and emergency management institutions to test their readiness, strengthen operational coordination and improve capacity to respond swiftly and effectively to emerging threats.
He said the exercise is particularly important for Delta State because of its strategic position as a major economic, commercial and maritime hub that hosts sensitive national assets, adding that the peace and security of communities in the state are essential not only to the well-being of the people but also to the economic stability and prosperity of Nigeria.
Governor Oborevwori appreciated the Office of the National Security Adviser for choosing Asaba, the state capital, as venue for the exercise and commended participating security and emergency management agencies for their dedication, discipline and professionalism displayed throughout the duration of the exercise.
He noted that such an exercise should not end with the closing ceremony, stressing that lessons learnt, skills acquired, inter-agency relationships established and operational capabilities developed must be sharpened, sustained and put to effective use beyond the programme.
The Governor assured that his administration will continue to support initiatives that promote peace, security and stability in Delta State and will strengthen existing collaboration with the Federal Government, security agencies, traditional institutions, communities and other stakeholders. He said no single institution can secure communities alone and that security remains the collective responsibility of all.
He urged participants to return to their respective commands and institutions as ambassadors of the knowledge and experience gained and to make the spirit of cooperation, professionalism and rapid response demonstrated during the exercise a permanent feature of the nation’s security architecture.
He expressed confidence that the knowledge acquired, partnerships forged and lessons learnt will significantly enhance collective capacity to protect lives, property and critical national assets, while congratulating all participants on the successful completion of the exercise.
In his remarks, the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, represented by Rear Admiral Adedotun Ayo-Vaughan, Director, PC4, Office of the National Security Adviser, thanked Governor Oborevwori for his support and commitment to strengthening the security architecture.
He said the Governor’s acceptance to host Rapid Response 3 in Delta State, the first of its kind outside the Federal Capital Territory, is a testament to his administration’s unwavering commitment to the safety and security of the people of Delta State and its continued partnership with the Federal Government in advancing national security.
