The federal government has urged states to put measures in place to stave massive flooding that could destroy lives and properties.
The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr. Joseph Utsev, gave the advice at a briefing on the flood in Mokwa, on Tuesday.
He said that the flood in Mokwa was not caused by any release of water from Kainji and Jebba dams, but by heavy rainfall, heightened by the effects of climate change.
He also said the high casualty figure was caused by lack of adherence by people in the state to flood warnings.
“I like to emphasise that the flood was not caused by water releases from either the Kainji or Jebba dams and that both dams are intact and safe.
“The flood in Mokwa town was primarily caused by heavy rainfall due to extreme weather conditions, occasioned by climate change, an emerging global phenomenon, which overwhelmed local drainage systems.
“Additionally, unregulated building and construction activities blocked an ephemeral tributary of River Dingi, a regressive river, a tributary of River Niger, which remains dry almost all year round with flows solely dependent on surface runoff by rainfall.
“The absence of efficient alternative pathways to redirect the excess water further worsened the flood’s impact on the communities”, he said.
Speaking further, the minister raised the alarm that 30 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, are currently at risk of flooding, reminiscent of last Thursday’s flood in which over 200 persons lost their lives in Mokwa, Niger State.
According to him, the high flood risk states include Abia, Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, and Edo.
Others are Gombe, Imo, Jigawa, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe, Zamfara and Federal Capital Territory, FCT.
“Nigerians will recall that the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, through the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency, NIHSA, in the 2025 Annual Flood Outlook, AFO, on April 10, 2025, predicted flooding in 19 LGAs of Niger State, including Mokwa LGA.
“The report of 2025 AFO, which indicated that 1,249 communities in 176 local government areas in 33 states and FCT fall within the high flood risk areas, while 2,187 communities in 293 local government areas in 31 states of the federation, including the Federal Capital Territory, fall within the moderate flood risk areas”, he stated.
Furthermore he expressed sympathy and solidarity to the people of Niger State, especially the affected communities in Mokwa.
“The Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation extends its heartfelt sympathy and solidarity to the government and the good people of Niger State, especially the affected communities in Mokwa, who have experienced losses, deaths and displacements as a result of this natural disaster”.
“We commend the immediate response efforts of Niger State government, local authorities, and first responders who have been working tirelessly to provide relief and support to the victims”,
