By Our Correspondent in Minna
Torrential rainfall on Sunday morning has destroyed farmlands and displaced several communities in Niger State, with Kafin Koro in Paikoro Local Government Area among the worst hit. At least 18 communities in Lapai LGA have also been affected, with fears that more could be swept away as rains intensify.
Flood-prone communities at risk include Dere, Eshi, Apataku, Tsakanabi, Kuchi Kakanda, Arah, Achiba, Rebba, Ebwa, Pele, Edda, Rigido, Gbami, Yawa, Baka, and Muye.
In response, the Niger State Government has reissued an urgent warning for riverside and lowland communities to relocate to safer, higher ground to prevent further disaster.
In a statement issued Sunday in Minna, the Special Adviser on Media, Communication and Strategy to the Governor, Hon. Jonathan Vatsa, appealed to residents to prioritize safety over emotional attachment to ancestral homes.
“We understand their deep-rooted connection to their ancestral lands, but with current flood alerts and visible signs of danger, it is imperative they heed the government’s call to relocate. We cannot afford a repeat of the Mokwa disaster,” Vatsa warned.
He reaffirmed that the state government remains proactive in managing the crisis and will launch a sensitization campaign across high-risk areas. Traditional rulers, religious leaders, and local influencers have been called upon to support the government’s efforts in spreading awareness.
According to Vatsa, 15 of the state’s 25 local government areas have already been identified by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) as highly vulnerable to flooding each rainy season.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government has also issued a fresh flood warning for four LGAs in Niger State — Rijau, Sarkin Pawa, Suleja, and Mashegu — based on predictions from the National Flood Early Warning Centre under the Ministry of Environment.
A statement titled “Flood Prediction”, signed by Usman Bokani, Director of Erosion, Flood, and Coastal Zone Management, cautioned that heavy rainfall is expected between July 31 and August 4, which could lead to serious flooding in the highlighted areas.
“Intense rainfall is forecasted, and relevant authorities must act fast to minimize the impact,” the statement urged.
As floodwaters rise and warnings intensify, the government is doubling down on public enlightenment campaigns and mobilizing emergency support where necessary.