The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has activated flood preparedness measures in communities along the River Niger following alerts of rising water levels from the Republic of Benin.
In a directive issued on Friday, NEMA’s Director General, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, instructed all operational offices covering the riverine areas to step up advocacy, sensitization, and mobilization efforts to reduce risks and protect lives.
Mrs. Umar urged residents in flood-prone communities to remain vigilant and relocate to safer, higher grounds to avoid casualties. She particularly identified Kebbi, Niger, and Kwara states — which share borders with Benin Republic — as high-risk areas requiring immediate attention.
The NEMA boss also called on State Governments to empower their State Emergency Management Agencies (SEMAs) and Local Emergency Management Committees (LEMCs) to activate contingency plans. According to her, coordinated preparedness at state and community levels will play a crucial role in mitigating the impact of this year’s flooding.
Reaffirming the agency’s commitment, Mrs. Umar said NEMA will continue to coordinate actions across all levels to safeguard lives and livelihoods along the River Niger.
The directive was contained in a statement signed by Manzo Ezekiel, Head of the Press Unit at NEMA headquarters in Abuja, on August 22, 2025.
