The Federal Ministry of Environment has issued a flood alert, warning of heavy rainfall and possible flooding in seven Nigerian states and 25 communities between August 23 and 24.
The warning, signed by Usman Bokani, Director of the Erosion, Flood and Coastal Zone Management Department, urged residents along the flood plain from Jebba to Lokoja to evacuate immediately as water levels in the River Niger continue to rise.
“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.
States and Communities at Risk
According to the ministry, the following areas are most likely to experience flooding:
- Benue State: Abinsi, Agyo, Gbajimba, Gogo, Makurdi, Mbapa, Otobi, Otukpo, Udoma, Ukpiam
- Borno State: Briyel, Dikwa, MaiduKamba
- Gombe State: Bajoga, Dogon Ruwa, Gombe, Nafada
- Kebbi State: Gwandu, Jega, Kamba
- Nasarawa State: Agima, Keana, Keffi, Odogbo, Rukubi
- Niger State: Lapai
- Yobe State: Gashua, Gasma, Potiskum
NEMA Urges Evacuation in High-Risk Areas
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) also echoed the call for evacuation, particularly in flood-prone plains of Kebbi, Niger, and Kwara states that share borders with the Republic of Benin.
In a statement signed by its Head of Press Unit, Manzo Ezekiel, NEMA Director General Mrs. Zubaida Umar instructed all operations offices along the River Niger to intensify public sensitization campaigns.
“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 read.
Umar reaffirmed NEMA’s commitment to coordinated action to protect lives and livelihoods, citing rising water levels upstream in the Republic of Benin as a significant concern.