Federal Government yesterday raised alarm that 30 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, are currently at risk of deadly flooring.

Last Thursday, over 200 persons lost their lives in Niger State as a result of flooding that ravaged Mokwa community.

Several houses were also washed away, rendering thousands homeless, even as over 500 persons have been declared missing.
The high flood risk states include Abia, Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, and Edo.

Others are Gombe, Imo, Jigawa, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe, Zamfara and Federal Capital Territory, FCT.

Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Engr. Joseph Utsev, who raised the alarm at a briefing in Abuja, also said the flood in Mokwa was not caused by any release of water from Kainji and Jebba dams, but by heavy rainfall, heightened by the effects of climate change.

He said the high casualty figure was caused by lack of adherence by people in the state to flood warnings.

He asked states to put measures in place to stave massive flooding that could destroy lives and properties.

He said- “The Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation extends its heartfelt sympathy and solidarity to the government and the good people of Niger State, especially the affected communities in Mokwa, who have experienced losses, deaths and displacements as a result of this natural disaster.

“I like to emphasise that the flood was not caused by water releases from either the Kainji or Jebba dams and that both dams are intact and safe.

“We commend the immediate response efforts of Niger State government, local authorities, and first responders who have been working tirelessly to provide relief and support to the victims.

“The flood in Mokwa town was primarily caused by heavy rainfall due to extreme weather conditions, occasioned by climate change, an emerging global phenomenon, which overwhelmed local drainage systems.

“Additionally, unregulated building and construction activities blocked an ephemeral tributary of River Dingi, a regressive river, a tributary of River Niger, which remains dry almost all year round with flows solely dependent on surface runoff by rainfall.”

for the rains.

Wahab, however, urged residents of low-lying wetland areas to move upland to avoid needless loss of lives and property, when the need arises.

He said: “It should be noted that the state has put in place its own network of weather stations as well as river gauge stations to monitor the weather and river levels in our state as well as increase preparedness for weather and flood related issues.

“The Ministry is collaborating with NiMet in the annual SCP which has been valuable as a vital weather and early warning tool for farmers, planners, decision makers and operators of various sectors and businesses that are likely to be impacted by the annual rainfall.

“Let me assure you that our State will continue to reap the benefits of careful and rigorous planning, as our flood control measures are being stepped up to contain any imminent rainfall.”

Her name is is Dorothy Okwyzuruike, a survivor of the ghastly auto crash that claimed the lives of 22 occupants of the coaster bus that was conveying the Kano State athletes returning from the recently concluded Gateway Games 2024.

While narrating the circumstances that led to the accident, she recalled that once the occupants of the coaster bus learnt it had failed break and that the driver had lost control, they were filled with fear and anxiety.

In a video seen by Nationwide Reports, Dorothy who spoke from an hospital bed with a bandaged leg, said: “All I can remember is like the driver lost control after the bus brake failed.

“The only thing I can remember was that I held onto the seat in front of me firmly. The next thing was that I found myself at the hospital.”

Continuing on their ordeal, the survivor recounted: “We spent two days on the road to go to Abeokuta to represent Kano state at the Festival.

“On our way back, we equally spent another two days on the road before the accident occurred.

“The vehicle was not sound, as it was always breaking down along the way. It would break down, we will stop, they will effect repair.

“After another few kilometres, it would break down again. They would carry out repair, and we would move again. It was a horrifying experience.”

A top official of the Kano State contingent, Ibrahim Umar Fagge also spoke on the incident.

He said: “During the festival, we were reducing our athletes as events were taking place. As your event end, you leave for home.

“So majority of our athletes had returned home before the final day. Only that bus that was remaining.”

He explained that he was always in touch with the contingent.

“We were together with them. The bus had accident in Lokoja, and they managed it to Abuja, where we spent the night.

“This (Saturday) morning, they started their journey from Abuja to Kano. At about 10 a.m., I spoke with about six of them. Then I got a report that our bus had accident at Chirowama.”

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