The Federal Ministry of Environment has issued a flood warning indicating that several locations across 16 states may experience heavy rainfall likely to result in flooding between October 4 and October 8, 2025.
The alert, released by the National Flood Early Warning Centre and signed by Usman Bokani, Director of the Erosion, Flood and Coastal Zone Management Department, cautioned that 39 locations across the 16 states are at risk. The ministry urged state governments, emergency agencies, and residents to take precautionary measures to mitigate the potential impact.
The predicted states and locations include Delta State (Asaba); Yobe State (Damaturu); Sokoto State (Isa); Zamfara State (Anka, Bungudu, Gusau, Kaura-Namoda, Maradun, Shinkafi); Katsina State (Jibia); Oyo State (Kisi, Oyo); Kebbi State (Ribah, Sakaba, Yelwa); Kano State (Gwarzo, Sumaila, Karaye); and Niger State (Kontagora, Mashegu, Mokwa, New-Bussa, Rijau, Wushishi).
Others are Kwara (Kosubosu); Benue (Agaku, Buruku, Gboko, Katsina-Ala, Ugba); Borno (Briyel); Bayelsa (Brass, Ikpidiama, Odoni); Cross River (Edor, Ikom); Rivers (Itu, Ahoada); and Enugu (Nsukka).
According to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), as of September 20, flooding incidents across the country had claimed 232 lives, displaced 121,224 persons, and injured 681, bringing the total number of affected individuals to 339,658 so far this year.
In a related development, the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) has advised residents in riverine communities to evacuate immediately following warnings that four major hydroelectric dams—Shiroro, Jebba, Kainji, and Zungeru—may begin releasing excess water without notice.
NSEMA’s Director-General, Abdullahi Baba Arah, described the potential flooding as “catastrophic,” citing the huge volumes of water expected from the dams. Communities located near Rivers Niger and Kaduna have been urged to move to higher ground to avert loss of lives and property.
The Federal Ministry of Environment reiterated its call for swift preventive actions, emphasizing that early response and public awareness remain crucial to minimizing the impact of the predicted floods.
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