The Federal Government has issued an urgent warning about imminent flooding along the Niger and Benue Rivers, urging affected states to brace for heightened flood risks.
Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Joseph Terlumun Utsev, made the announcement following devastating floods in Borno State, which displaced millions and destroyed homes, farmlands, and critical infrastructure.The recent floods, caused by the overflow of the Alau Dam due to heavy inflows from the Ngadda River, have triggered a nationwide alert. Utsev emphasized that while recovery efforts are underway in Maiduguri and Jere, proactive steps must be taken to prevent further disasters.”The flow levels in the Niger and Benue Rivers are nearing critical, and all relevant authorities must remain vigilant,” Utsev stated.
He urged states in the delta region to implement proactive flood prevention measures.Teams from the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency are currently assessing the damage in Borno. Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu has approved ₦108 billion to support flood prevention efforts across Nigeria’s 36 states.Utsev also reminded Nigerians to safeguard their water sources to prevent outbreaks of waterborne diseases in the aftermath of the floods. He urged local authorities to heed the early warnings and take immediate action to minimize further destruction.
As Nigeria braces for potentially catastrophic flooding, the government calls for unity in preparedness and response efforts.
