Federal Government Issues Fresh Flood Alert as Taraba Communities Submerge
The National Flood Early Warning Centre, under the Federal Ministry of Environment, has issued a stark warning: 14 Nigerian states are at high risk of severe flooding between September 4 and 8, 2025. The alert comes amid rising water levels, recent tragedies, and growing concerns over climate-induced disasters affecting vulnerable communities across the country.
States on High Alert
In a statement released on Thursday in Abuja, Usman Abdullahi Bokani, Director of the Erosion, Flood, and Coastal Zone Management Department, urged stakeholders and residents in the following regions to remain vigilant:
- Ebonyi (Afikpo)
- Cross River (Edor, Ikom, Itigidi, Akpap)
- Kano (Gwarzo, Karaye)
- Zamfara (Anka, Gummi, Kaura Namoda, Maradun, Shinkafi, Bukuyum)
- Taraba (Dampar, Duchi, Garkowa, Gassol, Gembu, Gun Gun Bodel, Kambari, Mayo Ranewo, Mutum Biyu, Bandawa, Ngaruwa)
- Abia (Eziama, Umuahia)
- Yobe (Geidam, Kanamma, Potiskum)
- Plateau (Langtang, Shendam, Wase)
- Borno (Ngala)
- Imo (Okigwe, Otoko)
- Niger (Sarki Pawa)
- Sokoto (Sokoto, Wamakko, Isa, Shagari, Makira)
- Kaduna (Kafanchan)
- Akwa Ibom (Oron)
This marks the fourth flood alert issued by the federal government in just one month, underscoring the severity and frequency of climate-related threats facing the nation.
Recent Flooding Incidents
Taraba Communities Submerged
Even as warnings were being disseminated, seven communities in Lau Local Government Area of Taraba State were already underwater following heavy rainfall on Thursday. Kunini was among the worst-hit areas, with farmlands and residential buildings inundated, displacing hundreds.
Peter Julius, Taraba State Commissioner for Urban and Rural Development and a native of one affected community, described the flooding as “unprecedented,” noting that properties worth millions of naira were destroyed and livestock swept away.
Despite repeated warnings from the state Ministry of Environment, many residents hesitated to evacuate—a pattern seen in other flood-prone regions as well.
Boat Mishaps and Rising Death Toll
In a tragic turn of events, a boat carrying approximately 90 passengers capsized in Niger State’s Borgu Local Government Area after hitting a submerged tree stump. As of yesterday, the death toll stood at 32, with 50 passengers rescued.
Musa Saidu Kedibe, Director of Disaster and Humanitarian Affairs in Borgu, confirmed the end of search and rescue operations. Akapo Adeboye, Area Manager of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), attributed the accident to overloading, though he noted that 3,500 life jackets had been distributed across waterfronts in Niger State to improve safety.
Similar incidents occurred in Sokoto and Shiroro earlier this year, highlighting the deadly combination of rising water levels and inadequate safety measures.
Government Preparedness and Response
Kaduna State
Dr. Usman Hayatu Mazadu, Executive Secretary of the Kaduna State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), emphasized that the state is better prepared than in previous years. Lessons from the 2023 floods led to the formation of a committee to address causes such as structures built on waterways and poor waste disposal.
Kaduna has also identified seven self-help centers on higher ground, equipped with tents, food, water, and sanitation facilities, to serve as temporary shelters. Community coordinators have been increased from three to 15 to improve mobilization and awareness.
Borno and Plateau States
Borno’s SEMA has urged residents in flood-prone areas to “evacuate immediately,” particularly those near the Gadabul River and its tributaries. In Plateau, sensitization campaigns are being conducted through religious and traditional leaders to mitigate risks.
Yobe State
Dr. Goje Muhammad, Executive Secretary of Yobe SEMA, highlighted the state’s proactive measures, including evacuation route mapping, drainage desilting, and waste management. He noted that shorter-duration rainfall in 2025 raises dual risks of both flooding and drought.
Tragically, floods in Yobe over the past six months have already affected 50,631 residents, claimed 34 lives, and destroyed over 30,000 houses and farmlands.
National and Local Challenges
Benue and Akwa Ibom
The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has cautioned Benue residents to adhere to federal warnings, citing poor drainage and indiscriminate waste dumping as major contributors to flooding.
In Akwa Ibom, residents of Uyo decry perennial flooding along major roads like Abak Road and Udo Umana. Victor Marcus, a local resident, blamed inadequate drainage and poor urban planning for the recurring crises.
Conclusion: A Call for Collective Action
As climate patterns become increasingly unpredictable, the need for coordinated action between federal, state, and local authorities has never been more urgent. Early warnings are only effective if met with timely public response and robust infrastructure improvements.
From Taraba to Kaduna, Yobe to Akwa Ibom, the story is the same: flooding is not just a seasonal inconvenience—it is a life-threatening disaster that demands preparedness, resilience, and community-wide cooperation.
Will Nigeria learn from these repeated tragedies and build a more flood-resilient future? Only time—and action—will tell.