By Ononye VC
The Federal Government has issued a strong warning to residents in flood-prone areas across 11 states, urging them to evacuate immediately as heavy rainfall is expected to trigger severe flooding between September 14 and 18, 2025.
The alert was released by the National Flood Early Warning Centre under the Ministry of Environment and signed by Usman Bokani, Director of the Erosion, Flood, and Coastal Zone Management Department.
According to the advisory, 32 locations in Adamawa, Benue, Nasarawa, Taraba, Delta, Niger, Kebbi, Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, and Zamfara States face high flood risk in the coming days.
In Benue State, vulnerable communities include Makurdi, Abinsi, Agyo, Ito, Udoma, Ukpiam, and Gogo.
In Delta State, Umugboma, Umukwata, Abraka, Aboh, and Okpo-Krika are on the alert list. Other affected towns are Rijau in Niger, Ribah in Kebbi, Jibia in Katsina, Gwarzo and Karaye in Kano, Makira in Sokoto, and multiple communities across Zamfara including Kaura Namoda, Shinkafi, Maradun, Gusau, Anka, and Bungudu.
The ministry also highlighted the rising water levels of River Gongola, River Benue, and River Niger as a serious concern. Communities along these river floodplains stretching from Numan to Lokoja—have been advised to relocate without delay.
“Relevant stakeholders should kindly take note,” the ministry stated, stressing the urgent need for state governments, local authorities, and disaster agencies to act quickly to reduce the impact.
This warning comes just days after torrential rainfall displaced over 470 children and destroyed 270 homes in Zaria, Kaduna State.
