By Atoyebi Nike
The Niger State Government has issued an urgent warning to residents living along the River Niger and River Kaduna to relocate to safer areas, following the release of water from major hydroelectric dams in the state.
The alert, issued Thursday by the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), comes as the Kainji, Shiroro, Zungeru, and Jebba dams discharge thousands of gallons of water per minute, raising the risk of river overflow and widespread flooding.
NSEMA Director-General Abdullahi Baba-Arah advised communities to avoid riverbanks during the peak rainy season and relocate to safer grounds identified by the state. He also urged residents to stay away from substandard structures and avoid standing under trees during rainfall, citing warnings from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) about potential violent windstorms.
Baba-Arah confirmed that flooding has already affected upstream and downstream communities, damaging houses, farmlands, bridges, and access roads. Local government areas impacted include Lavun, Magama, Rafi, Kontagora, Gbako, Mokwa, Lapai, Katcha, Agaie, Suleja, Shiroro, Mashegu, Agwara, Bida, Edati, Munya, Bosso, Chanchaga, Paikoro, and Wushishi, with reports of loss of life.
Assessment of the full impact is ongoing, and periodic updates will be provided. The state called on traditional institutions, stakeholders, residents, and the media to help disseminate the advisory.
Niger State, home to three of Nigeria’s largest dams, has historically been heavily affected during the annual flood season, with downstream communities along Rivers Niger and Kaduna particularly vulnerable.
