The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has warned residents living in flood-prone areas across 27 states to relocate immediately.
This comes as floods are said to have displaced 227,494 people, damaged 32,837 homes, and destroyed 16,488 hectares of farmland across the country.
NEMA’s spokesperson, Mr. Manzo Ezekiel, made the announcement in a statement released on Thursday in Abuja.
“27 states in Nigeria have been impacted by recent floods, affecting 227,494 individuals and damaging 32,837 houses and 16,488 hectares of farmland.
“NEMA is conducting assessments and deploying relief items to support affected communities,” The statement read.
According to Ezekiel, the agency, in collaboration with State Emergency Management Agencies (SEMAs), mobilized search and rescue teams and distributed essential relief supplies to those in need.
NEMA’s Director-General, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, stressed the urgency of the situation, and urged communities in flood-prone areas to move to higher ground as the rainy season continues.
She also called for increased public awareness about proper waste management practices to help prevent future flooding.
“The agency emphasizes the importance of public awareness on waste management to prevent flooding and advises at-risk communities to relocate to safer areas,” Umar stated.
Mrs. Umar reassured farmers that the temporary dry season would soon pass, and encouraged them to remain resilient during the challenging period.
Community leaders and stakeholders were also urged to implement rapid response measures to mitigate the ongoing flood threats.
The agency reiterated its commitment to continue monitoring the situation closely and supporting those affected by the disaster.