The federal government has issued a flood warning for seven states and 25 communities across the country, citing heavy rainfall expected between August 23 and 24 as the likely trigger for rising water levels and potential flooding.
The alert, released on Saturday and signed by the Director of the Erosion, Flood and Coastal Zone Management Department, Usman Bokani, emphasised the increasing danger posed by the rising water level of the River Niger.
“Due to the rise in the water level of River Niger, communities on the flood plain from Jebba to Lokoja are advised to evacuate,” Bokani said.
The states and communities identified as high-risk include: Benue State: Abinsi, Agyo, Gbajimba, Gogo, Makurdi, Mbapa, Otobi, Otukpo, Udoma, Ukpiam; Borno State: Briyel, Dikwa, MaiduKamba; Gombe State: Bajoga, Dogon Ruwa, Gombe, Nafada, and Kebbi State: Gwandu, Jega, Kamba.
Others are Nasarawa State: Agima, Keana, Keffi, Odogbo, Rukubi; Niger State: Lapai, and Yobe State: Gashua, Gasma, Potiskum.
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) also echoed the concerns, urging residents in flood-prone areas to relocate to safer ground.
In a press statement released on Friday, the agency warned that states sharing borders with the Republic of Benin, particularly Kebbi, Niger, and Kwara, are at elevated risk due to upstream rainfall and rising river levels.
“In an urgent directive conveyed to the operations offices, Mrs. Zubaida Umar instructed them to sensitize communities to remain vigilant and advise residents in high-risk flood plains to evacuate to safer, higher grounds, especially those in Kebbi, Niger and Kwara states that share borders with Benin Republic,” the statement read.
The statement, signed by NEMA’s Head of Press Unit, Manzo Ezekiel, also confirmed that all NEMA zonal offices have been instructed to ramp up advocacy and preparedness efforts in at-risk areas.
“She further urged the State Governments of the identified high-risk areas to support their Emergency Management Agencies (SEMAs) and Local Emergency Management Committees (LEMCs) in activating contingency plans and preparedness measures to mitigate the potential impact of this year’s flooding,” the statement added.
The Director General reaffirmed NEMA’s commitment to ensuring a coordinated response to safeguard lives and livelihoods along the River Niger corridor.
