The federal government’s flood alert has prompted high-risk states — Adamawa, Bauchi, Nasarawa, Kaduna, Katsina, and Kebbi — to brace up to contain the scourge.
LEADERSHIP reports that other states such as Borno, Kebbi, Taraba and Sokoto, among others in the 19 northern states, are rolling out plans to contain flooding or mitigate its impact should it occur.
The federal government, through the Federal Ministry of Environment, on Sunday issued a flood warning in 15 of the 19 northern states via its National Flood Early Warning (FEW) Centre, in a circular signed by the Director of Erosion, Flood and Coastal Zone Management, Malam Usman Abdullahi Bokani.
The circular identified Adamawa, Bauchi, Nasarawa, Kaduna, Katsina, and Kebbi as high-risk states.
Other northern states in the red zone include Kano, Niger, Taraba, Jigawa, Yobe, Zamfara, Sokoto, Borno, and Kwara. Prominent towns on the watchlist include Jimeta, Mubi, Keffi, Kafanchan, Birnin Kebbi, Minna, Gusau, and Sokoto.
Among the states listed, Kebbi has the highest number of towns on the watchlist, with about 10 prominent cities including Kamba, Kangiwa, Kalgo, Ribah, Sakaba, Saminaka, Gwandu, Jega, and Birnin Kebbi.
Adamawa Activates Response Unit
The Adamawa State government has activated its Disaster Response Unit in collaboration with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to tackle the impact of flooding in the state.
According to the governor’s Press Secretary, Humwashi Wonosikou, the unit was activated prior to the recent floods to ensure swift rescue, evacuation, and response to victims.
He noted that advocacy campaigns had already been conducted to urge residents to leave flood-prone areas, even before the recent flash flood that ravaged several communities, claiming 23 lives.
Confirming the unit’s activation, NEMA’s Zonal Director (North-East), Yakubu Suleiman, said the agency played a key role in evacuation and rescue operations through its Disaster Response Unit.
Bauchi Desilts Drainages
In Bauchi, in response to early warnings from both the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET) and the Ministry of Environment, the state has launched an ambitious desilting project across all 20 local government areas to protect citizens from the adverse effects of flooding.
Our correspondent reports that this strategic initiative involves the thorough clearing of drainages, culverts, and waterways to ensure free water flow and prevent overflow.
The Commissioner for Housing and Environment, Ɗanlami Kawule, said the effort is a direct response to NiMET’s forecast of impending heavy rainfall and possible flooding.
Four days ago, Governor Bala Mohammed appealed to the Hadeja-Jama’are River Basin Authority to revive the Kafin Zaki Dam project to reduce flooding along the river channel across Bauchi, Yobe, and Borno states.
Nasarawa Embarks on Awareness Campaigns, Distributes Speed Boats
In Nasarawa State, the government is intensifying awareness campaigns across flood-prone areas to ensure residents relocate upland ahead of anticipated flooding.
The Executive Secretary of the State Emergency Management Agency (NASEMA), Barrister Ben Akwash, told our correspondent in Lafia that the agency is collaborating with political leaders, traditional rulers, youth groups, and women’s associations in affected areas.
He said emergency response plans have been developed and are regularly updated, with officials placed on red alert.
He added that the state government is expanding and upgrading drainage networks, and has distributed speedboats to several flood-prone local government areas designated as red zones.
Kaduna, Kebbi Scale Up Flood Response
The Kaduna State government said it has prepared for potential flooding in 13 high-risk LGAs. The State Emergency Management Agency (KADSEMA) has partnered with international development bodies and is engaging religious leaders to support early warning dissemination.
The state has launched the 2025 Flood Emergency Operation and Response Team and activated the Emergency Coordination Centre (ECC) housed at the KD-ICT/Disaster Control Centre.
KADSEMA Executive Secretary, Dr Usman Mazadu, stated this during a preparatory workshop as the rainy season intensifies.
In Kebbi, the Commissioner for Environment, Alhaji Muhammed Tungulawa, told LEADERSHIP that Governor Nasir Idris Kauran Gwandu had instructed the Ministries of Environment and Water Resources to take immediate action.
A committee was formed to identify vulnerable LGAs, and its report has been submitted to the state government.
The Commissioner for Water Resources, Alhaji Muhammed Dogondaji, added that experts have been deployed to border areas to block water inflows into vulnerable communities, even those not explicitly mentioned by the federal ministry.
Kwara Orders Relocation, Advises Farmers
In Kwara, the government has directed residents in riverine areas to relocate to higher ground to avoid loss of lives and property.
Commissioner for Communication, Hon. Bola Olukoju, issued this warning in a statement signed by the ministry’s Director of Public Orientation, Mr Agboola Olanrewaju.
Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Afeez Abolore, also advised farmers to promptly harvest mature crops, relocate livestock and farm inputs to safer areas, and maintain farm drainage systems for efficient water flow.
Sokoto, Katsina Mobilise Communities
In Sokoto, Special Adviser on State Emergency Management, Nasir Garba Kalambaina, said awareness campaigns have been conducted in vulnerable communities, urging residents to clear drainage systems to allow for proper water flow.
Responding to NiMET’s warnings, the Katsina State Government has intensified flood preparedness efforts. SEMA’s Executive Secretary, Hajiya Binta Dangani, said Local Emergency Management Committees (LEMCs) have been established, comprising LG chairmen, traditional and religious leaders, the Red Cross, DSS, police, and other stakeholders.
Niger Builds IDP Camps
The Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) has built six Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps and designated schools for emergency shelter. A permanent camp was constructed by the federal government in Muregi, Mokwa LGA, while others were supported by NEMA and UNDP.
NSEMA Director General, Abdullahi Baba Arah, told LEADERSHIP that volunteers are already monitoring vulnerable areas and sending daily reports.
He said traditional rulers are involved in early-warning campaigns and that the agency is liaising with hydropower dams to plan for water releases during peak rainfall.
Although farmlands have been submerged in some communities, no fatalities have been reported since the Mokwa incident, which claimed several lives.
Taraba, Zamfara Take Proactive Measures
In Taraba, the Emergency Management Agency (TSEMA) is working to avert flooding in Ardo-Kola LGA and other vulnerable communities like Mayo Ranewo, Tau, Shomo Gali, and Jiru Dauda.
TSEMA Executive Secretary, Dr Echuse Audu, said residents have been advised to relocate to higher ground.
In Zamfara, the State Emergency Management Agency (ZEMA) has launched extensive public awareness campaigns following NiMET’s warnings.
Executive Secretary, Amb. Ahmed Bala, said the state began its flood preparedness campaign in early January 2025, even before the federal alert, to protect lives and infrastructure.
8 confirmed dead as flood wreaks havoc on Ebonyi Community
8 Persons has been confirmed dead while over 800 farm lands were destroyed in a flood disaster that wracked havoc at a plantain plantation in Enohia Itim, Afikpo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
Confirming the incident, the Chairman, Afikpo Local Government Area of the State consoled the families of the diseased and assured that the local government will do everything to mitigate against a reoccurrence.
He urged the people who are still residing in flood prone Areas to vacate from the place to a safer ground adding that the constant rain is capable of causing flood in the area as warned by the relevant authorities.
We are deeply who expressed sad over the unfortunate incident and we are using this medium to extended our condolences to the families that lost their loved ones
As Government we will support and pledged to collaborate with relevant State and Federal agencies to provide humanitarian assistance and timely relief to those affect
The incident which occurred on Friday, August 1, 2025 was as a result of a severe rainfall that led to flood disaster, causing widespread destruction.
Also Confirming the incident, the Councilor representing Itim Ward in Afikpo Legislative Council, Hon Francis Abani Okpani disclosed that out of the 8 people who lost their lives to the flood, 3 bodies have been recovered while 5 are still missing.
He further confirmed that 3 children were part of those who lost their lives.
“The Federal Ministry of Environment had predicted that Afikpo is one of the areas in Nigeria likely to experience flooding. I had earlier implored the people of Afikpo to incorporate climate change projections into flood risk management plans.
He also urged them to ensure effective drainage systems and to keep their drains and waterways clear of debris to prevent blockages.
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