Flood Alert: NEMA Activates Emergency Operations Offices in States
By Pan Afric Reporters
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has activated its zonal directorates and operations offices across 15 states following a high flood risk alert issued by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA).
The agency disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday, September 21, 2026, by its Press Unit, signed by Manzo Ezekiel, following NIHSA’s advisory warning of a high risk of riverine flooding in the affected states.
The states identified in the flood advisory are Imo, Cross River, Ebonyi, Benue, Anambra, Akwa Ibom, Lagos, Rivers, Edo, Kogi, Taraba, Delta, Bayelsa, Enugu and Abia.
Following the warning, NEMA Director General, Mrs Zubaida Umar, directed the agency’s offices covering the affected states to immediately activate existing preparedness mechanisms, intensify monitoring of vulnerable locations and maintain close coordination with relevant authorities and emergency response stakeholders.
Umar urged residents living on floodplains, riverbanks, low-lying areas and other exposed locations to take the warning seriously and relocate to identified safe and higher ground before flood conditions become critical.
She particularly called for the protection of vulnerable persons, including children, older persons, pregnant women and persons with disabilities, during evacuation and other precautionary measures.
The NEMA Director General also directed relevant state and local government authorities to activate their emergency preparedness mechanisms and pre-position essential relief and response materials at safe strategic locations on higher ground to facilitate rapid intervention.
According to her, such materials should include food and non-food items, safe drinking water and water-treatment supplies, first-aid and medical supplies, as well as rescue equipment.
Umar stressed that early action remained critical to reducing the potential impact of flooding on lives, livelihoods and critical infrastructure, urging communities to cooperate with emergency management authorities and comply with evacuation advisories whenever they are issued.
She also cautioned residents against attempting to cross flooded roads, bridges or fast-moving water either on foot or in vehicles, while urging communities to continue monitoring official flood warnings and updates from relevant government agencies.
“NEMA will continue to monitor the situation in collaboration with NIHSA, State Emergency Management Agencies and other relevant stakeholders,” the agency said, assuring that its response teams remain on standby to provide necessary support where required.
