The Federal Government, through the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency, has urged residents in flood-prone areas to relocate to safer locations immediately, as the release of water from Cameroon’s Lagdo Dam into Nigeria poses a heightened flood risk in parts of the country.
The agency emphasized the urgency of evacuation to avoid casualties, citing the severe flooding and loss of life that have accompanied previous dam releases.
NIHSA’s Director of Operations and Hydrology, Femi Bejide, made this announcement while speaking on Channels Television’s ‘The Morning Brief’ program on Thursday.
Mohammed explained that the release of water from the Lagdo Dam would be conducted in a controlled manner to manage the flow into the Rivers Niger and Benue, which are already experiencing rising water levels.
“The situation is that water from Cameroon’s Lagdo Dam has been released already since yesterday (Wednesday) and there is an agreement that the water should be released in phases,” Bejide stated, indicating that this phased release is aimed at minimizing the flood impact on Nigerian communities.
Earlier in the week, the Federal Government had warned of the impending release, advising residents of high-risk states, including Adamawa, Taraba, Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi, Edo, Delta, Anambra, Bayelsa, Cross Rivers, and Rivers, to remain alert and take necessary precautions.
As part of the preparations, NIHSA has been in communication with the Cameroonian authorities to coordinate the water release.
Despite these efforts, there is still concern over the potential impact, given that past releases from the Lagdo Dam have triggered severe flooding in several Nigerian states.
Mohammed also highlighted the importance of individual responsibility in flood prevention.
“Everybody has their part to play; as the Federal Government is doing its part, our agency is doing its part, NEMA is prepared, individuals should also have to do their part. They have to move from the floodplain,” he said, urging residents to ensure that their drainages are clear and not obstructed, to allow free flow of water.
Reflecting on past flooding disasters, Mohammed noted that the previous release of water from the Lagdo Dam has been a recurring cause of severe flooding in Nigeria.
“Look at your house, if your house is at the floodplain, please move, it is an appeal,” he pleaded.
The Agency has also submitted a report to the Presidency proposing the construction of buffer dams and the de-silting of existing ones to better manage future water releases.
“We have to have buffer dams and five have been proposed and the Federal Government is looking at that already,” Mohammed said, adding that the design and expansion of the tributaries of the Rivers Niger and Benue are under review to improve the country’s flood management infrastructure.
This recent release of water from the Lagdo Dam follows the catastrophic overflow of the Alau Dam in Borno State, which resulted in over 30 deaths and the destruction of thousands of homes in Maiduguri.
The 2022 floods, exacerbated by the Lagdo Dam release, claimed 665 lives and displaced over 2.4 million people. In 2023, the toll was slightly lower, with 28 lives lost and 48,168 people displaced.
However, 2024 has seen significant flooding again, affecting over a million people and displacing 625,239 individuals between April and September.
With these numbers in mind, the NIHSA’s call for vigilance and early relocation is more urgent than ever.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, while residents are urged to remain proactive in safeguarding their lives and properties against the looming threat of floods.
