The Federal Government and the Ogun State government have issued fresh flood alerts, warning residents in vulnerable communities to relocate as heavy rainfall and rising water levels threaten several parts of the country.
The Federal Ministry of Environment’s National Flood Early Warning Centre, in a notice released yesterday, said 11 states could be affected by heavy downpour and flooding between Sunday and Thursday. The states include Adamawa (Ganye, Natubi), Benue (Abinsi, Agyo, Gogo, Ito, Makurdi, Udoma, Ukpiam), Nasarawa (Agima, Rukubi, Odogbo), Taraba (Beli, Serti, Donga), Delta (Umugboma, Umukwata, Abraka, Aboh, Okpo-Krika), and Niger (Rijau).
Others are Kebbi (Ribah), Kano (Gwarzo, Karaye), Katsina (Jibia), Sokoto (Makira), and Zamfara (Kaura Namoda, Shinkafi, Maradun, Gusau, Anka, Bungudu).
The alert warned that rising water levels in Rivers Gongola, Benue and Niger pose additional threats, with communities on flood plains especially at risk of devastating impacts.
In a related advisory, the Ogun State government urged residents of riverine and coastal settlements, including Isheri, Warewa, Akute, parts of Abeokuta, Ayetoro, Itele, Iju, Makun, Oni, Iwopin, Igele, Ifaara, Ebute-Imobi, Tungeji Island, and Agosasa, to relocate between late September and mid-October.
According to the state’s 2025 Midterm Flood Alert signed by Commissioner for Environment, Dr Ola Oresanya, the expected overflow of Ogun, Ilo, Iju, Owa and Yemule rivers, compounded by possible water releases from Oyan Dam and tidal lock from the sea, could wreak havoc in affected areas.
He said the overflow, anticipated to last for about two weeks, forms part of the second phase of the annual flooding season, which typically runs between September and November.
Both federal and state authorities stressed the need for timely evacuation to avert loss of lives and property.
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