Severe flooding caused by heavy rainfall and windstorms has devastated several communities across Niger and Plateau states, leading to the destruction of homes, farmlands, schools, and places of worship.
Gatekeepers News reports that the flooding, which occurred on Sunday, severely affected areas in Kafin Koro, Paikoro LGA, and at least 18 communities in Lapai LGA of Niger State.
Among the impacted communities are Dere, Eshi, Apataku, Tsakanabi, Kuchi Kakanda, Arah, Achiba, Rebba, Ebwa, Pele, Edda, Rigido, Gbami, Yawa, Baka, and Muye.
In Plateau State, the Shimankar district in Shendam LGA was hit by a violent rainstorm, which destroyed over 50 houses, including two primary schools and a place of worship in the Menkaat community.
The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) and the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMet) had earlier issued repeated flood warnings, identifying Niger and Plateau among high-risk areas due to their topography and proximity to major rivers such as the Niger and Kaduna Rivers.
In its 2025 Annual Flood Outlook, NIHSA projected that more than 30 states including Niger and Plateau would experience varying levels of flooding, potentially impacting over 170 local government areas nationwide.
The agency urged state governments to take proactive measures, including clearing blocked drainage systems, relocating residents from high-risk zones, and activating emergency response strategies in anticipation of peak rainfall.
The Niger State government had also previously advised residents of riverine areas to move to higher ground in preparation for potential river overflows and intensified rainfall.
