The Federal Ministry of Environment’s National Flood Early Warning Centre (FEW) has issued a flood alert for 32 locations across 11 states between September 14 and 18.
In a circular issued on Sunday by Usman Bokani, director of erosion, flood and coastal zone management, the centre said rising water levels in the River Gongola, River Benue and River Niger pose additional risks.
The affected areas include Ganye and Natubi in Adamawa; Abinsi, Agyo, Gogo, Ito, Makurdi, Udoma and Ukpiam in Benue; Agima, Rukubi and Odogbo in Nasarawa; Beli, Serti and Donga in Taraba; Umugboma, Umukwata, Abraka, Aboh and Okpo-Krika in Delta; and Rijau in Niger.
Others are Ribah in Kebbi; Gwarzo and Karaye in Kano; Jibia in Katsina; Makira in Sokoto; as well as Kaura Namoda, Shinkafi, Maradun, Gusau, Anka and Bungudu in Zamfara.
The ministry urged communities along the overflow including Gongola up to Numan, and from Benue and Niger up to Lokoja to evacuate immediately.
“Also, due to a rise in the water level of River Gongola, River Benue, and River Niger, the communities on the flood plains of River Gongola up to Numan, and also communities on the flood plains of River Benue and River Niger up to Lokoja are advised to evacuate immediately,” the alert reads.
“Relevant stakeholders should kindly take note.”
The warning comes days after torrential rainfall in Zaria in Kaduna state, displaced more than 470 children and destroyed at least 270 homes.
On September 4, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said floods had killed 231 people this year, injured 607, while 114 remain missing.
In 2024, more than 5.2 million people were affected by floods across 35 states and 401 LGAs, with over 1.2 million displaced, 1,237 killed and 16,469 injured.
