The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) has issued an urgent warning to residents in flood-prone areas to relocate, following the release of water from the Lagdo Dam in Cameroon into Nigeria’s River Niger and River Benue.
The water release, which began on Wednesday, is expected to affect 11 states, including Adamawa, Taraba, Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi, Edo, Delta, Anambra, Bayelsa, Cross River, and Rivers.
NIHSA Director General, Umar Mohammed, delivered the warning during a broadcast on Thursday, emphasizing the need for residents in vulnerable areas to move to safer locations to minimize potential flood risks.
Mohammed, represented by the agency’s Director of Operations and Hydrology, Femi Bejide, said the water was being released in stages to mitigate the impact. Despite these measures, he urged citizens to act responsibly by ensuring their surroundings, such as drainage systems, are free from blockages.
The warning comes in the wake of a recent flooding disaster in Maiduguri, Borno State, caused by the Alau Dam, which claimed over 30 lives and destroyed thousands of homes. Nigeria has experienced severe flooding in recent years, with the 2022 floods resulting in 665 deaths and the displacement of millions. In 2024 alone, floods have affected over 1 million people, displaced 625,239, and caused 259 fatalities, according to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).
Mohammed highlighted the readiness of the Federal Government, NIHSA, and NEMA to respond to any emergencies but stressed the importance of individual preventive actions, especially for those living in high-risk zones. He also revealed that NIHSA has submitted a report to the Presidency, proposing long-term solutions such as de-silting Nigeria’s dams to better manage water flow.
