The Niger State government has issued a critical warning to residents living along the banks of the River Niger and River Kaduna to immediately relocate to safer areas due to the ongoing release of water from major hydroelectric dams.1
The Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) stated that the Kainji, Shiroro, Zungeru, and Jebba dams are discharging “thousands of gallons of water per minute,” which is causing the rivers to overflow and leading to widespread flooding in surrounding communities. The state government is acting on advice from the Nigerian Hydrological Services to prevent a repeat of past flood disasters that have claimed lives and destroyed property.
Affected Areas and Previous Disasters
The warning is particularly urgent for communities in local government areas located upstream and downstream of the four dams. These include Lavun, Magama, Rafi, Kontagora, Gbako, Mokwa, Lapai, Katcha, and several others. Already, the state is experiencing the negative impacts of the floods, with houses, farmlands, bridges, and access roads washed away in many of these areas, and casualties have been recorded.
The threat of flooding is an annual and recurring crisis in Niger State, which is home to three of Nigeria’s largest dams.2 In May 2025, a devastating flood in Mokwa Local Government Area claimed over 200 lives and displaced more than 500 residents.3 The current warning is a proactive measure to prevent such a tragedy from happening again.
Safety Advisory
Beyond the dam water release, the state government is also warning residents about violent windstorms predicted to accompany the end of the rainy season. Residents are advised to avoid standing under trees during rainfall and to stay away from substandard structures.
NSEMA is urging stakeholders, traditional leaders, and media to help spread the safety advisory to ensure that all residents in vulnerable areas are aware of the risks and take necessary precautions, including relocating to designated safer grounds.4
