Authorities in Nigeria’s Niger State have issued urgent relocation orders to more than 2,000 riverside communities across 15 districts, urging residents to evacuate to higher ground ahead of predicted catastrophic flooding. The directive follows alerts from federal agencies warning of heightened risks as heavy rains and storms intensify this month.
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) recently forecast widespread thunderstorms and flooding in 15 states, with 38 high-risk flood zones identified nationwide by the Federal Ministry of Environment. In Niger State alone, over 200 lives were lost and property worth millions of naira destroyed during last year’s devastating floods in Mokwa—a disaster officials are determined to prevent from recurring.
“We cannot afford a repeat of Mokwa’s tragedy,” said Jonathan Vatsa, Special Adviser to Niger State’s Governor on Communication, Media, and Strategy. He stressed the state’s vulnerability, noting that floods claim lives annually in riverside communities. “Relocating now is not optional—it’s a necessity. Ignoring these warnings risks irreversible loss,” Vatsa added, referencing NiMet’s projections of severe weather in regions spanning Borno, Zamfara, Kano, and 11 other states, including the capital territory.
The state plans to launch awareness campaigns to encourage temporary relocation, particularly in ancestral communities hesitant to leave their homes. Residents are advised to return only after the rainy season subsides. Federal forecasts also highlight risks in Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, and Plateau states, with specific towns like Calabar, Jos, and Gusau anticipating heightened flood activity.
Niger State’s call for preemptive action underscores a broader challenge in Nigeria, where seasonal flooding disproportionately affects low-lying areas. Authorities aim to balance cultural sensitivities with disaster mitigation, though past reluctance to evacuate has compounded casualties. With climate patterns growing increasingly erratic, the race to safeguard vulnerable populations hinges on timely cooperation between communities and government agencies.
