Nigeria’s Environment Ministry warned 32 communities in 11 states of possible flooding.
Residents near major rivers were urged to evacuate as water levels continue to rise nationwide.
Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Environment has issued a fresh flood warning for 32 communities across 11 states, cautioning that the areas could be at risk from September 14 to 18.
According to a circular released on Sunday, Usman Bokani, Director of Erosion, Flood and Coastal Zone Management, said the advisory follows rapidly rising water levels along the River Gongola, River Benue and River Niger.
The communities placed on alert 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; and Kaura Namoda, Shinkafi, Maradun, Gusau, Anka and Bungudu in Zamfara.
Residents living on floodplains, especially those around the Gongola River up to Numan and along the Benue and Niger rivers up to Lokoja, were advised to evacuate immediately. The ministry urged state authorities and emergency services to take urgent action to reduce the risk to lives and property.
The warning comes as torrential rains continue to hit parts of the country. Only days ago, severe flooding in Zaria, Kaduna State, displaced over 470 children and damaged at least 270 homes. Earlier this month, the National Emergency Management Agency reported 231 deaths, 607 injuries and 114 people missing due to floods nationwide in 2025.
Flooding has become one of Nigeria’s most persistent environmental threats. In 2024 alone, more than 5.2 million people were affected across 35 states and 401 local government areas, with 1.2 million displaced, over 1,200 killed and more than 16,000 injured.
