The Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) has issued a warning to riverine communities to relocate immediately as four major hydro-electric dams—Shiroro, Jebba, Kainji, and Zungeru—begin discharging excess water.
In a statement released on Thursday in Minna, NSEMA Director General, Alhaji Abdullahi Baba Arah, said the planned discharge could trigger “catastrophic” flooding along Rivers Niger and Kaduna. He noted that the Nigerian Hydrological Services Agency had also advised communities along the riverbanks to move to safer grounds.
“The dams are releasing thousands of gallons of water per minute that could lead to the overflow of these rivers. We are also advising our communities to limit activities around river banks during this peak raining season to avoid being flooded,” Baba Arah warned.
He added: “People living at riverine areas should relocate to safer grounds already identified.”
The NSEMA boss further cautioned that the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted violent windstorms towards the end of the rainy season. “As a result, people should avoid standing under trees during rainfall and also stay away from substandard structures,” he said.
According to Arah, parts of the state are already reeling from the impact of flooding, with houses, farmlands, bridges, and link roads washed away across several local government areas. He confirmed that the disaster has left many residents homeless and disrupted socio-economic activities.
Local government areas affected include Lavun, Magama, Rafi, Kontagora, Gbako, Mokwa, Lapai, Katcha, Agaie, Suleja, Shiroro, Mashegu, Agwara, Bida, Edati, Munya, Bosso, Chanchaga, Paikoro, and Wushishi.
He also disclosed that lives have been lost in the disaster, though no official figures were provided.
