The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has issued an urgent warning, advising residents in high-risk flood areas of Kebbi, Niger, and Kwara states to evacuate to safer, higher grounds. This directive stems from NEMA's Director General, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, who has instructed all NEMA offices covering communities along the River Niger to intensify advocacy and mobilization efforts for flood preparedness. The urgency of this campaign is prompted by alerts indicating rising water levels in the upstream regions of the River Niger, specifically in the Republic of Benin.

In a detailed directive to its operations offices, Mrs. Umar emphasized the critical need to sensitize communities to remain vigilant. Residents in particularly vulnerable flood plains, especially those in Kebbi, Niger, and Kwara states which share borders with the Republic of Benin, are strongly advised to relocate. Furthermore, the Director General urged the state governments in these identified high-risk areas to actively support their respective State Emergency Management Agencies (SEMAs) and Local Emergency Management Committees (LEMCs). This support is crucial for activating contingency plans and implementing comprehensive preparedness measures to mitigate the potential impact of the anticipated flooding. NEMA reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to ensuring coordinated actions to safeguard lives and livelihoods along the River Niger, reiterating its dedication to a comprehensive national flood response strategy in light of growing climate risks.

In a separate development, NEMA has also provided an update on a recent boat mishap that occurred in Goronyo, Sokoto State. The agency confirmed that 41 persons were successfully rescued, but tragically, four deaths have been recorded. The increase in fatalities followed the recovery of an additional body, for which a funeral prayer was observed in line with Islamic rites, and the body was immediately laid to rest.

As part of the extensive rescue operations, a dedicated response team visited four villages – Takuske, Kwakwazu, Bari, and Gamiha – where many of the passengers from the ill-fated boat were reportedly residing. These visits allowed the team to verify the number of persons still missing and to commiserate with families who had lost loved ones. During these community engagements, it was also confirmed that a total of 16 persons had survived the mishap. Following these critical developments, the multi-agency search and rescue operation has been officially concluded. This collaborative effort involved the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Sokoto State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Goronyo Local Government Authority, and local community divers. Mrs. Zubaida Umar commended the rescue team for their diligence and acknowledged the collective efforts of all stakeholders that contributed to the success of the operation.