The Federal Government has issued a fresh alert warning that 32 locations across 11 states face high risks of flooding between September 14 and 18, 2025, with communities along the River Niger and River Benue floodplains urged to evacuate immediately.
The warning, released by the National Flood Early Warning Centre of the Ministry of Environment, was signed by Usman Abdullahi Bokani, Director of Erosion, Flood and Coastal Zone Management.
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According to the notice, vulnerable areas include: Adamawa (Ganye, Natubi), Benue (Abinsi, Agyo, Gogo, Ito, Makurdi, Udoma, Ukpiam), Nasarawa (Agima, Rukubi, Odogbo), Taraba (Beli, Serti, Donga), Delta (Umugboma, Umukwata, Abraka, Aboh, Okpo-Krika), and Niger (Rijau).
Others are Kebbi (Ribah), Kano (Gwarzo, Karaye), Katsina (Jibia), Sokoto (Makira), and Zamfara (Kaura Namoda, Shinkafi, Maradun, Gusau, Anka, Bungudu).
The ministry specifically cautioned residents of communities along the floodplains of River Gongola, River Benue, and River Niger up to Lokoja, noting that water levels are rising rapidly.
“Communities on the floodplains are advised to evacuate immediately. Relevant stakeholders should kindly take note,” the alert stated.
The Federal Government also urged state authorities and emergency agencies to act swiftly, provide feedback, and deploy mitigation measures to protect lives and property.
This latest warning follows reports of torrential rains in Zaria, Kaduna State, which displaced more than 470 children and destroyed at least 270 homes last week.
Flooding has remained a recurring disaster in Nigeria. As of September 4, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) reported that 231 people have died and 114 remain missing from flooding incidents this year alone. Over 600 others sustained injuries.
Last year’s floods were even more devastating, affecting more than 5.2 million people across 35 states and 401 local government areas, displacing over 1.2 million residents, killing 1,237, and leaving 16,469 others injured, according to NEMA data.
Environmental experts warn that worsening flooding patterns are being driven by climate change, rapid urbanisation, and poor drainage infrastructure.
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