The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has deployed search and rescue teams to several flood-affected parts of Nigeria as torrential rainfall continues to destroy homes, roads, farms and other infrastructure.
The latest flooding has affected communities across states including Bauchi, Edo, Bayelsa, Imo, Rivers, Osun, Ekiti, Abia, Anambra, Benue and Delta, while emergency officials in Kano, Yobe, Nasarawa and Zamfara have also provided updates on the situation.
The floods have displaced residents, disrupted transportation and economic activities, and damaged schools, health facilities and other public infrastructure. In some communities, residents have been forced to abandon their homes as rising water levels continue to threaten livelihoods.
The development comes amid warnings from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency that heavy rainfall could continue, particularly in central and southern parts of the country. A NiMet official said the country was still within the rainy season, which was at its peak in the central and southern regions, urging residents to pay close attention to daily weather forecasts.
NEMA’s Head of Media and Public Relations, Manzo Ezekiel, said the agency had activated its operational offices and deployed rescue teams following flood alerts issued last week.
According to Ezekiel, although the flood situation was not as severe as it was during the corresponding period last year, the agency was maintaining its readiness because the rainy season was still ongoing.
He said NEMA’s search and rescue teams had been directed to visit affected communities, coordinate with local authorities and create awareness among residents about the dangers posed by flooding.
The agency also planned to reinforce operations in Ebonyi and Rivers states, particularly Port Harcourt, where officials said the flooding situation had become serious.
Ezekiel attributed the flooding to a combination of natural and human factors, including prolonged rainfall, poor town planning, construction on waterways and blocked drainage channels.
He added that NEMA and the Federal Government would provide technical support, strengthen local emergency response efforts and distribute relief materials to affected residents.
In Bauchi State, six local government areas were identified as among the worst affected by disasters during the current rainy season.
The affected areas are Toro, Bauchi, Ningi, Shira, Gamawa and Kirfi. While several of the councils experienced heavy rain and windstorms, flooding was reported in Kirfi.
The state’s disaster management authorities said two people had died in Kirfi, while thousands of residents reportedly suffered damage to their houses and properties.
Officials said no formal Internally Displaced Persons camp had been established because many affected residents were staying with relatives.
Residents of Enwan in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo State were also thrown into panic after the Ojirami Dam overflowed following heavy rainfall.
The overflow submerged portions of the Enwan-Igarra-Ososo Expressway, making the route difficult for commuters.
Community leaders expressed concern over the condition of the dam, recalling that its overflow in 1980 reportedly submerged more than 500 houses and resulted in deaths.
A poultry farmer, Monday John, said the flooding destroyed his farm and killed about 1,400 birds.
However, the Edo State Emergency Management Agency said the immediate threat had been contained after repairs were carried out around the affected section of the dam. Officials also said the water board had been advised on how to manage water releases when the level rises.
In Bayelsa State, residents of Obogoro community in Yenagoa Local Government Area said the advancing Ekoli River had destroyed more than 200 houses.
Residents said erosion and flooding had displaced families, destroyed farmlands and threatened vital community infrastructure.
They appealed to the state and Federal Governments, as well as the Niger Delta Development Commission and emergency agencies, for urgent intervention and an evacuation centre.
Several communities in Rivers State have also experienced prolonged flooding, particularly in Port Harcourt City and Obio/Akpor.
Residents of Marine Base said they had battled flooding for almost a month, with some households forced to hire pumping machines to remove water from their homes.
In Iriebe, the Rivers State Rehabilitation Centre was submerged, while corps members at a nearby NYSC transit camp were also affected.
The flooding also claimed the life of 17-year-old Ifeanyichukwu Osuji in Oyigbo Local Government Area, according to the report.
In Imo State, nine local government areas were affected, with residents in parts of Owerri and other communities reporting flooded roads and homes. NEMA officials said some families trapped by floodwaters in Akwakuma were moved to higher ground.
Osun State also recorded flooding in seven local government areas, damaging roads, bridges, homes and other infrastructure.
In Ekiti State, flooding entered its third day in parts of Ado Ekiti and surrounding communities. Reports of people being swept away were not independently confirmed at the time of the source report.
The Ekiti State Government said it had spent more than N1.18bn between 2023 and 2026 on flood-control measures, including drainage and waterway rehabilitation.
In Abia State, several communities were affected, with reports of deaths and extensive property destruction. However, the reported figure of about 20 deaths had not been independently verified at the time of publication.
A 12-year-old Federal Government College, Ohafia student, Sopuruchi Ibe, was confirmed dead after being swept away by floodwater.
Anambra State also recorded flooding in Onitsha, Awka, Nnewi, Ekwulobia and Ogidi. A school pupil, Success Ezenwafor, died after a shuttle bus conveying pupils was overturned by floodwater along the Isiagu-Nibo-Awka Link Road.
Seven other children and two adults were rescued from the incident.
In Yobe State, the State Emergency Management Agency said 34,533 people had been affected by windstorms, heavy rainfall and flash floods across 15 local government areas since May.
The agency reported 9,845 affected households, 21,363 damaged or destroyed shelters, 303 injuries and 11 deaths.
In Kano State, authorities said nine people were killed and 4,524 displaced by rainstorms and windstorms between January and August 2026.
Recent flooding in Shuwaki, Tudun Wada Local Government Area, also destroyed more than 200 rice farms and damaged a historic bridge.
Delta State was also hit by heavy rainfall, with flooding reported across Udu, Uvwie, Warri South and Ughelli North local government areas.
Communities including Agbarho and Ovwian recorded flooding that submerged homes, schools, roads and farmlands. Some residents reportedly resorted to using canoes to navigate flooded neighbourhoods.
The Jakpa Road drainage system was also reported to have collapsed, worsening the impact on residents and businesses.
Amid the growing impact of flooding, the Senate called for improved disaster preparedness and faster delivery of relief to affected communities.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio urged authorities to ensure that early warnings translated into concrete preparations and protection for vulnerable communities.
He also warned that destruction of farmlands and agricultural produce could further worsen food insecurity.
As flooding continues in several parts of the country, residents are calling for longer-term measures, including improved drainage systems, dredging of waterways, erosion control, proper maintenance of dams and reconstruction of damaged roads and bridges.
Authorities have also continued to urge residents to avoid dumping refuse in drainage channels and building on waterways or flood-prone areas.
