Findings by The PUNCH reveal that several Nigerian states have initiated proactive measures to mitigate the impact of impending floods, with Nasarawa, Anambra, Borno, Kebbi, and Bayelsa governments preparing to evacuate residents to safeguard lives and property.
The Federal Government, in April, warned that at least 1,249 communities across 176 local governments in 30 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are expected to experience severe flooding between April and November 2025.
The warning follows a devastating flood in Niger State’s Mokwa Local Government Area, where the death toll has now risen to 153 after two more bodies were recovered beneath a collapsed bridge. Residents expressed deep concerns about a potential disease outbreak caused by the decomposing corpses.
Alhassan Kolo, a resident of Mokwa, said the recovered bodies — a young girl and an adult male — were barely recognizable due to decomposition.
“The smell coming from where they recovered the corpses is terrible. The whole place smells badly, and the government should act quickly before it results in disease,” Kolo said.
Despite the floodwaters receding, residents continue to dig through sand and debris, searching for missing persons and salvaging belongings.
Kolo criticized the relief efforts, noting that supplies brought by the government often appear to be for photo opportunities rather than actual distribution.
He also highlighted donations from local politicians, including Senator Peter Ndajikali and an SDP aspirant, each contributing N2 million to victims.
In response to disease fears, Idris Ibrahim, Director of Public Health in the Ministry of Secondary and Tertiary Health, assured that the ministry is collaborating with the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and is prepared for any health emergencies.
“We have sensitization programs for displaced persons and are deploying cholera test kits. All hands are on deck,” he said.
Niger State Emergency Management Agency’s Director General, Abdullahi Baba-Arah, confirmed the figures: “Mokwa: Death toll 153, affected population 3,018, households 503, injured 11, and three broken bridges.”
SEMA spokesman Hussein Ibrahim added that other affected communities like Ndawko and Rabba have also suffered property damage, though without reported deaths.
Meanwhile, states like Anambra have begun evacuation preparations in vulnerable riverine communities due to rising water levels of the River Niger. Pa Israel Onyeme, a community leader in Omor Community, urged residents in flood-prone areas to relocate to higher ground and to harvest crops early.
Anambra State Emergency Management Agency warned residents in ten local government areas at high flood risk, including Ogbaru, Ayamelum, and Onitsha, advising early movement of elderly, women, and children to internally displaced persons (IDP) camps.
Nasarawa State is also ramping up sensitization campaigns and preparing temporary settlements for displaced persons in flood-prone local governments such as Toto, Lafia, and Karu. Danladi Obagu, Director of Planning, Research and Statistics at Nasarawa SEMA, emphasized proactive steps to reduce flood impact.
Bayelsa State, Nigeria’s floodplain, has seen repeated flooding disasters. Residents like Victor Igudu express reluctance to return to IDP camps due to poor conditions, describing the camps as uncomfortable and poorly managed.
Borno State, severely affected by last year’s flood following the Alau Dam collapse, is preparing contingency plans ahead of the rainy season. Ali Abdullahi, Acting Director General of Borno SEMA, said a committee is focused on flood mitigation initiatives to protect residents.
As Nigeria faces one of the most challenging flood seasons in recent history, coordinated efforts between federal, state, and local agencies remain critical to reducing the humanitarian and economic toll of these natural disasters.
