The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has deployed search and rescue teams to flood-affected communities as heavy rainfall continues to cause deaths, displacement and damage to homes, roads, farms and other infrastructure across Nigeria.
NEMA’s Head of Media and Public Relations, Manzo Ezekiel, said the agency had activated its operational offices following flood alerts and directed rescue teams to affected locations.
He said the agency was not lowering its guard despite indications that the overall flood situation was better than at the same period in 2025.
“Last week there was an alert, and following that alert, the DG NEMA has activated all the operational offices to be on alert for deployment,” Ezekiel said.
Ezekiel said NEMA’s search and rescue directorate was preparing to lead teams to Ebonyi State before moving to Port Harcourt, Rivers State, where he said the situation was serious.
The flooding has affected communities in several states, with the impact ranging from submerged homes and roads to destroyed farms, businesses and public infrastructure.
In Edo State, the overflow of Ojirami Dam flooded parts of Enwan community in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area. Residents reported damage to businesses, farms and homes, while a poultry farmer said 1,400 birds were killed.
In Bayelsa State, the advancing Ekoli River has continued to erode Obogoro community in Yenagoa. Residents say more than 200 homes have been swallowed over several years, while recent heavy rainfall has worsened the situation.
Anambra State also recorded a fatal school-bus incident after floodwaters trapped a vehicle carrying pupils along the Nibo-Isiagu Road in Awka.
Seven children and two adults were rescued, but six-year-old Success Ezenwafor was swept away. His body was recovered the following day.
Flooding has also affected parts of Rivers, Imo, Osun, Ekiti, Abia, Delta, Benue, Bauchi and Nasarawa states.
In Yobe, emergency authorities said 34,533 people from 9,845 households had been affected by windstorms, heavy rainfall and flash floods between May and August. Eleven deaths and 303 injuries were recorded during the period.
NEMA has attributed flooding to heavy rainfall, overflowing waterways and human factors including blocked drainage channels, poor town planning and construction on waterways.
The agency said it would continue coordinating with state and local authorities, providing technical support and distributing relief materials to affected residents.
The Senate has also called for stronger preparedness and faster relief to flood victims.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio said flood warnings should lead to preparation, protection and timely delivery of assistance to affected communities.
With the rainy season continuing, emergency agencies are maintaining monitoring and response operations while residents in vulnerable areas have been urged to remain alert to weather and flood warnings.
