The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has deployed teams to 15 high-risk states to raise public awareness about the increasing threat of flooding and to urge residents in vulnerable areas to relocate promptly.
According Manzo Ezekiel, Head of NEMA’s Press Unit, the targeted states include Kogi, Imo, Enugu, Adamawa, Taraba, Borno, Zamfara, Katsina, and the Federal Capital Territory, among others.
“We deployed anti-flood advocacy teams to all 36 states and the FCT. The response has been overwhelming,” Ezekiel said. “Many residents were unaware of the risks until our teams engaged them directly. Now, we’re seeing stronger collaboration with state governments.”
Ezekiel cited the recent flooding in Mokwa Local Government Area of Niger State as a wake-up call. Despite prior warnings, many residents continued living in gully-prone zones and were caught off guard by the May 23 flood.
“Niger State, the largest by landmass, is home to three major dams—Kainji, Jebba, and Shiroro—which are key to the national grid. In April, water released from one of these dams destroyed over 5,000 farms in 30 communities, including Mokwa,” he noted.
The scale of the disaster has since escalated. On June 2, the Niger State Government reported that more than 200 people had died and over 1,000 were still missing. The flooding displaced over 3,000 residents, destroyed at least 2,000 homes, and severely damaged critical infrastructure, including three bridges and several roads.
This follows a warning issued by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency on May 28, forecasting heavy storms across Abuja and 14 other states, including Niger.
While Niger State was not classified as a high-risk area in the official flood forecasts, Ezekiel stressed that all communities must remain vigilant.
“Mokwa was not flagged as high-risk, but that doesn’t mean people should let their guard down,” he warned. “Every community must take proactive steps to mitigate the impact of potential flooding.”
