Floods wash away farmlands in Niger as Gov’t issues fresh warnings to Communities to relocate
By: TUNDE BOLAJI MINNA.
Some Communities in Niger State that were adamant about heeding the federal government’s flood warning are now beginning to assess their losses after an early morning heavy downpour on Sunday.
The “showers of blessing” from heaven, it was gathered, caused significant flooding in farmlands in Kafin Koro, in the Paikoro Local Government Area.
Findings revealed that, additionally, 18 communities in the Lapai Local Government Area were affected, with many more at risk of being inundated.
Communities at risk include Dere, Eshi, Apataku, Tsakanabi, Kuchi Kakanda, Arah, Achiba, Rebba, Ebwa, Pele, Edda, Rigido, Gbami, Yawa, Baka, and Muye.
In light of the current situation, the state government reiterated its previous warning to riverside communities to immediately relocate to higher ground as the rains continue to intensify.
The Special Adviser to the governor on Communication and Strategy, Mr. Jonathan Vatsa in a statement released in Minna on Sunday, Hon. Jonathan Vatsa, urged residents in the affected areas to move to safer locations to avoid further disaster.
Vatsa acknowledged the emotional ties the communities have to their ancestral homes, but emphasized the urgent need to follow government directives and relocate until the rains subsided.
“As a government, we will continue to take proactive measures by appealing to the people, especially those in flood-prone areas, to move to higher ground and avoid a repeat of the Mokwa disaster,” Vatsa said.
He disclosed that the Nigerian Meteorological Agency had previously identified 15 out of the 25 local government areas in the state as particularly vulnerable to flooding each rainy season.
It’s important to note that the Federal Government has instructed residents in four local government areas of the state to move to safer locations, as heavy rainfall is expected to trigger flooding between July 31 and August 4, 2025.
This latest directive from the federal government follows a flood alert issued by the National Flood Early Warning Centre, part of the Federal Ministry of Environment, indicating that communities in Rijau, Sarkin Pawa, Suleja, and Mashegu are at high risk of flooding during this forecast period.
The federal government warning is contained in a statement titled “Flood Prediction,” signed by Usman Bokani, Director of the Erosion, Flood, and Coastal Zone Management Department, urging relevant authorities to implement proactive measures to mitigate the impact of these disasters.
“The following locations and their surrounding areas are projected to experience intense rainfall that could result in flooding within the specified timeframe,” the statement added.
The Special Adviser announced that the state government would soon launch an awareness campaign targeting all flood-prone communities.
He therefore called on traditional rulers, community leaders, and religious leaders to assist the government in sensitizing the public.
