States activate control measures as flood wreaks havoc

Lagos, Sokoto, Benue, Kano, Kebbi and Gombe State Governments have activated measures to control flooding as over 2,000 houses were destroyed there by recent incidents. The federal government had predicted heavy rainfall over a five-day period that may trigger flooding across 19 states and 76 locations. The National Flood Early Warning Systems Centre of the […]

Lagos, Sokoto, Benue, Kano, Kebbi and Gombe State Governments have activated measures to control flooding as over 2,000 houses were destroyed there by recent incidents.

The federal government had predicted heavy rainfall over a five-day period that may trigger flooding across 19 states and 76 locations.

The National Flood Early Warning Systems Centre of the Ministry of Environment, in its flood prediction, said the affected areas were expected to experience rainfall likely to cause flooding from August 5 to August 9, 2025.

The predicted states and locations are Akwa-Ibom (Edor, Eket, Ikom, Oron, Upenekang); Bauchi (Tafawa-Balewa, Azare, Jama’are, Kari, Misau, Jama’a); Ebonyi (Abakaliki, Echara, Ezilo); Cross-River (Ogoja Edor, Obubra); Nasarawa (Keana, Keffi, Wamba); Benue (Agaku, Buruku, Gboko, Igumale, Ito, Katsina-Ala, Ugba, Vande-Ikya); Kaduna (Jaji, Kafancha, Birnin-Gwari, Zaria) and Katsina (Bindawa, Bakori, Daura, Funtua).

Others are Kebbi (Bagudo, Birnin-Kebbi, Bunza, Gwandu, Jega, Kalgo, Kamba, Kangiwa, Shanga, Ribah, Sakaba, Saminaka, Yelwa, Gauri-Banza); Kano (Bebeji, Gezawa, Gwarzo, Kano, Karaye, Tundun-wada, Wudil, Kunchi); Niger (Kontagora, Rijau, Ringim); Plateau (Mangu); Taraba (Donga, Takum); Jigawa (Diginsa, Gumel, Dutse, Gwaram, Hadejia, Miga); Yobe (Machina, Potiskum); Zamfara (Anka); Sokoto (Sokoto, Wamakko); Borno (Biu); and Gombe (Bajoga).

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Daily Trust reports that some of the states started experiencing intense rainfall from last weekend all through Monday, with scores of houses destroyed.

Lagos, Benue ask residents to relocate

In Lagos, scores of residents and households were affected as major parts of Lagos State were submerged as flood ravaged various areas between Sunday and Tuesday.

The state government had asked residents in affected areas to relocate temporarily.

Residents of Ijede, Ikorodu, Jakande, Ajah, Okota, Lekki, Ajegunle, and others appeared in viral videos crying for help.

Commuters and traders expressed frustration as flashfloods overran communities and streets in the state.

Also, the Benue State Government advised residents living along flood-prone areas to relocate to safer areas.

Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Dr James Iorpuu, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday in Makurdi that government had also taken steps to mitigate the negative effects of the impending flood.

Iorpuu said that the ministry and the committee on flood embarked on a series of enlightenment campaigns.

He said the government cleared all blocked drainages within the urban areas for easy flow of water.

Iorpuu, who is also a member of the Technical Committee on Disaster Response in Nigeria, said the government also launched e-emergency platforms on how emergencies are reported, analysed, and responded to.

He said the ministry had already written to the government requesting funds to take care of impending flood victims.

Following the flood that destroyed over 50 houses and farmlands in Tangaza Local Government Area of Sokoto State at the weekend, health officials in the state have warned of a possible outbreak of waterborne diseases “if swift action is not taken to provide clean drinking water and medical assistance to the victims. The affected communities were Tangaza, Gidan Madi, Baidi and Madarare.

The state’s Commissioner for Environment, Nura Shehu Tangaza, stressed the need for long-term flood mitigation strategies, including proper drainage systems and community sensitization on environmental protection.

In Jagawa, over 140 houses were destroyed in Malammadori Local Government Area and Galadanchi village of Dutse Local Government Area. 

SEMA Director Planning and Statistics, Muhammad Bala Garingabas, said the agency had sent an emergency response team to assess the level of damage. 

Flood destroyed many farms and houses at communities in Shiroro, Lapai, Mokwa, Bida and Paikoro LGAs of Niger State.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on communication, media and strategy, Jonathan Vatsa, said the state had launched sensitisation campaigns asking the affected communities and villages to relocate to a safer place to avoid further disaster in the state.

Kano cleans up drainages

The Kano State Government has launched a move to clean up drainages scattered across the state as part of measures to prevent possible flooding, especially within the metropolis, according to the State Emergency Management Agency.

In July, four persons died and over 1,000 houses were destroyed by flood at communities in Kiru LGA.

The Gombe State Government has also inaugurated a Local Emergency Management Committee (LEMC) to implement proactive measures in response to the 2025 imminent flooding alert issued by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).

The state emergency agency had declared 171 houses destroyed, four persons dead, as a result of flooding and wind storms recorded in the state between May and July. 

The police command in the state has advised residents to stop cutting down trees, citing instances where trees planted around houses had helped reduce the strength of the wind and its impact on those houses.

In Ogun, the Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya, expressed concern over public apathy, warning that civic inaction worsens the situation.

Speaking on Channels Television, Oresanya said: “People should not fold their arms. People believe the government business is not my business until they are the problem.”

He called for improved collaboration between state and local governments, stressing the need for stronger enforcement, visible consequences for environmental violations, and a more engaged citizenry.

He encouraged communities to report any signs of blocked drains, illegal structures on waterways, or other activities that may aggravate flooding.

Niger, Kogi, Nasarawa unveil flood control measures

Kogi, Nasarawa and Niger States have rolled out proactive measures to mitigate the effects of flooding, following alerts issued by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).

The Kogi Government said it was taking every precaution to prevent loss of lives and property during this year’s rainy season.

Executive Secretary of the SEMA, Muktar Atimah, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday that the state had developed a comprehensive flood preparedness plan.

According to Atimah, the measures include collaboration between SEMA and NEMA to enhance staff capacity through workshops and seminars, the establishment of an emergency response framework, and the setting up of departments for search and rescue, Information Communication Technology (ICT), disaster risk reduction, and logistics coordination.

“We have also launched community sensitisation campaigns involving traditional rulers, religious and community leaders, as well as youth and women groups,” he said.

In Nasarawa, residents of flood-prone communities in Awe, Doma, Nasarawa and Toto LGAs have started relocating from high-risk areas.

The Director-General of the State Emergency Management Agency, Benjamin Akwash , confirmed this to NAN in Lafia, saying the move was as a result of the agency’s intensive early warning sensitisation campaign.

He said the campaign reached riverine communities such as Tunga (Awe), Loko (Nasarawa), Umaisha (Toto), and Doma town, and involved palace visits, local radio messages, and collaboration with disaster-response Ministries Departments and Agencies.

Akwash said the state government had activated emergency kits including speed boats, canoes, and rain gear, and was working closely with disaster-line MDAs for efficient search and rescue operations if needed.

In Niger State, the Executive Secretary of NSEMA, Ibrahim Hussaini, said the agency had held stakeholder engagements and sensitisation visits to traditional institutions and town hall meetings.

“Currently, we are running continuous public enlightenment campaigns across the state, and  the agency is also monitoring flood-prone areas and identifying high grounds for emergency relocation,” he said.

Adamawa

The death toll from recent flooding in Adamawa State has climbed to 29, about 3,500 households affected, while 11 Local Government Areas are on red alert.

Speaking with Daily Trust, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, James Iliya, lamented that about 3,500 people were affected in the flood across 11 LGAs.

The commissioner said steps have been taken by the state government to check the tide, also gave an update on what the state is doing to prevent reoccurrence.  

He said the state government had started opening up some of the waterways from the upstream including that of villages to reduce its effects.

He said that all of the 3,500 people affected by the floods have now gone back to their homes as floodwaters had receded and temporary camps where they were sheltered had been shut down.

“Relief materials have been provided to them immediately and a fresh round of relief material is being sent from now till Saturday so that before the next intervention, further succour will be given”, Iliya said. 

He reiterated that the state government is taking precautionary measures to address any possible challenges in future. 

“We have started opening up some of the water ways from the upstream including that of villages to reduce its effect,” Iliya said. 

On level of preparedness in response to the predicted heavy down pour, he said, public announcements are being made to warn residents of potential inundation, based on a forecast by the meteorological department.

Iliya asserted that even after warnings, some people are reluctant to move from their traditional areas. 

He encouraged residents near the river to not let their guard down and told them to be ready to leave if they notice water levels on an incline. 

According to Iliya, some Local Government Areas are on red alert for potential floods.

He said they include, the villages by the River Benue, starting from Yola North, North South through Fufore down to Lamurde that is bordering Taraba State. Madagali LGA as well Ms some parts of Michika, Song, Demsa Numemand Shelleng (due to the Kiri Dam) and also parts of Guyuk are highly at risk.

“Also we are appealing to them to be on alert and proactive in action to avoid the flood disaster that is knocking at their door steps,” he added.

Kebbi distribute relief materials

Few days ago, many house, including school buildings, were destroyed by heavy rainfall and windstorm at Zogirma and Bunza Local Government Areas of Kebbi State. 

A similar situation occurred in Augie, Argungu, Dole Kaina, Dakingari and Kamba areas of the state. 

Executive Chairman, State Emergency Relief Agency, SEMA, Bello Yakubu Rilisco, said the agency had delivered 700 bags of assorted grains, comprising  rice, maize, sorghum, as well as several cartons of spaghetti, cooking oil and maggi to the victims.