By Atoyebi Nike
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has deployed advocacy teams to 15 states identified as vulnerable to major flooding this rainy season. The agency said the goal is to raise awareness and urge residents in high-risk areas to relocate before disaster strikes.
NEMA spokesperson, Manzo Ezekiel, confirmed the move on Wednesday. He listed the target states as Kogi, Imo, Enugu, Adamawa, Taraba, Borno, Zamfara, Katsina, and the Federal Capital Territory, among others.
According to him, teams have been dispatched nationwide to engage residents and explain the dangers of staying in flood-prone zones.
“We’ve launched anti-flood campaigns across all 36 states and the FCT. People often don’t realize the danger until our teams meet them face-to-face,” Ezekiel said. “The response has been encouraging, and many are now more willing to take action.”
The warning follows a deadly flood that struck Mokwa in Niger State on May 23. Despite previous alerts, residents in gully erosion zones were caught off guard. Many had built homes in high-risk locations.
Niger State, Nigeria’s largest by land area, hosts three major dams—Kainji, Jebba, and Shiroro—which contribute significantly to national power supply. Recent dam discharges have worsened flood conditions. In April, water released from one of the dams destroyed over 5,000 farms across 30 communities, including Mokwa.
The aftermath of the Mokwa flood has been devastating. As of June 2, state officials reported that the death toll had exceeded 200, while more than 1,000 people remain missing. Over 3,000 residents have been displaced, and about 2,000 homes were wiped out. Critical infrastructure—including three bridges and multiple roads—was also destroyed.
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency had earlier issued a forecast on May 28, warning of severe weather in Abuja and 14 other states, including Niger. Still, many residents underestimated the danger.
Ezekiel stressed that while some regions weren’t officially marked as “high-risk,” the public must remain alert.
“Just because your area wasn’t highlighted doesn’t mean you’re safe. Flooding can strike anywhere,” he said. “We must all stay prepared.”
He cited a similar flood in Maiduguri last year as evidence that disaster can hit with little warning. The agency urged communities to take proactive steps to prevent similar tragedies.
