The Federal Government has issued an urgent directive for residents in four flood-prone local government areas of Niger State to relocate to higher ground, following a fresh warning of imminent flooding from the Ministry of Environment.
The alert, issued by the National Flood Early Warning Centre, warned that heavy rainfall between 31 July and 4 August could trigger dangerous flooding in Rijau, Sarkin Pawa, Suleja and Mashegu. In a statement titled ‘Flood Prediction’ and signed by Usman Bokani, Director of the Erosion, Flood and Coastal Zone Management Department, the ministry cautioned that the forecasted rainfall could significantly raise water levels in the region, posing a serious threat to lives and property.
“Relevant stakeholders should kindly take note,” the statement read. “Feedback from government representatives and stakeholders will be highly appreciated.”
In response, the Niger State Government confirmed that it had already begun sensitising at-risk communities through radio announcements and public advisories. State Commissioner for Environment and Climate Change, Yakubu Kolo, said evacuation plans were being activated across the affected areas.
“The Nigerian Meteorological Agency had earlier warned of potential flooding in 15 local government areas,” Kolo told reporters on Friday. “Now, with this renewed alert from the Federal Ministry of Environment, we’ve intensified our communication and readiness.”
He identified rising water levels in the Niger, Kaduna and Gurara rivers as the principal cause of the looming flood threat, which may also disrupt major roads across the state. Roads at risk include the Awuru–Imigifala, Mokwa–Gana, Owo–Tegina, Wawa–Yelwa, and Kainji corridors.
The broader list of flood-vulnerable local governments, according to Kolo, includes Agaie, Bida, Borogu, Bosso, Edati, Bako, Katcha, Lapai, Lavun, Magama, Mokwa, Rafi, Shiroro and Wushishi, in addition to the four most at-risk zones.
“All emergency response agencies are advised to be on standby. Communities must act now to safeguard lives—evacuation plans should not be delayed,” he said.
Niger State, which has historically been vulnerable to seasonal flooding, remains one of the most affected regions in Nigeria’s annual flood cycles, often resulting in widespread displacement, damaged farmland, and disrupted infrastructure.
Environmental experts continue to warn that Nigeria’s flood risk is intensifying as climate change increases the frequency and severity of extreme weather events.
