A fresh wave of severe flooding has devastated large expanses of farmland across multiple communities in Paikoro and Lapai Local Government Areas of Niger State, raising serious concerns about an impending food crisis.
The floods followed torrential early morning rainfall on Sunday, submerging hundreds of hectares of farmland and washing away crops in what officials have described as one of the most damaging incidents this year.
In Lapai LGA, no fewer than 18 communities are currently underwater and face the risk of further inundation. In Kafin Koro, Paikoro, subsistence farmers woke up to find their fields destroyed.
Affected families in Lapai have lost crops that were meant to sustain them through the season, compounding fears of hunger and economic hardship.
Emergency operations are ongoing, with local authorities reinforcing evacuation directives. Jonathan Vatsa, Special Adviser to the Governor on Communication, said the state government has urged residents to relocate immediately to higher ground to prevent a repeat of the tragic Mokwa flood disaster earlier this year.
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) had previously flagged 15 of Niger State’s 25 LGAs—including Paikoro and Lapai—as highly vulnerable to flooding. Federal agencies had also identified four additional LGAs at acute risk between late July and early August 2025.
There are reports that nearly 8,000 people have been displaced in Lapai alone, with some fatalities already confirmed.
Temporary shelters have been set up in upland communities such as Kollo, Kuchi, and Cheku, while long-term relocation plans are underway. However, the growing risk of cholera and malaria due to stagnant water and damaged health facilities is alarming. In Yawa-Kara, for instance, submerged clinics are now inaccessible.
Residents are also grappling with worsening sanitation conditions and limited access to relief materials, with many receiving only sporadic food supplies.
The destruction of farmlands comes at a critical time. Many crops were close to harvest before being swept away by the floodwaters, disrupting food supplies and escalating fears of a severe food crisis. The economic consequences could ripple across the entire state if urgent interventions are not deployed.
In response, the Niger State Government has launched awareness campaigns in collaboration with traditional and religious leaders, encouraging at-risk residents to evacuate immediately. Authorities hope to prevent a repeat of the May 2025 Mokwa disaster, where a dam failure led to catastrophic flooding that claimed over 500 lives and displaced thousands.
By Zakari Omale, AIT
