The Federal Government has advised residents of communities along the River Niger floodplain, stretching from Jebba in Kwara State to Lokoja in Kogi State, to immediately relocate as water levels continue to rise.
The warning was issued on Saturday by the National Flood Early Warning Center (FEWS Center) under the Federal Ministry of Environment, in a statement signed by the Director of the Erosion, Flood and Coastal Zone Management Department, Usman Abdullahi Bokani.
According to the ministry, heavy rainfall between August 23 and 24 is expected to cause flooding in several states across the country.
Areas listed as high-risk include:
- Benue State: Abinsi, Agyo, Gbagimba, Gogo, Makurdi, Mbapa, Otobi, Otukpo, Udoma, Ukpiam.
- Borno State: Briyel, Dikwa, Maiduguri.
- 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.
The ministry urged stakeholders and state governments to take immediate preventive measures and provide feedback on preparations.
“Relevant stakeholders should kindly take note. Feedback from state government representatives on this platform will be highly appreciated,” the statement read.
The ministry recalled that a similar alert was issued earlier in August (10–14), warning of possible flooding in 15 states, including Adamawa, Bauchi, Kaduna, Nasarawa, Katsina, Kebbi, Kano, Niger, Taraba, Jigawa, Yobe, Zamfara, Sokoto, Borno, and Kwara.
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