This move, approved by NEMA’s Director General, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, follows a detailed assessment that identified critical equipment shortages in some regional offices. In a statement released Tuesday, the agency emphasized that the deployment is part of its wider mission to improve disaster preparedness and enhance life-saving capabilities nationwide.

“Given the growing threat of climate-related disasters, especially floods, it is crucial that our teams have the right tools to deliver timely and effective medical support,” Mrs. Umar stated.

The newly deployed MICU ambulances come equipped with comprehensive emergency medical systems, including oxygen delivery, patient monitoring, suction devices, and essential life-support equipment. These advanced features are designed to stabilize patients during evacuation and transit to hospitals, significantly boosting survival prospects during crises.

According to the agency, the choice of Kaduna, Owerri, and Uyo was informed by vulnerability assessments and regional logistics, ensuring resources are positioned where they are most urgently needed.

This initiative aligns with NEMA’s broader strategy to strengthen disaster management infrastructure across the country. Alongside new equipment, the agency continues to conduct community sensitization programs, flood simulation drills, and coordination meetings with key stakeholders to improve readiness at the local level.

With forecasts warning of potentially severe flooding in multiple states, NEMA has reiterated its commitment to safeguarding lives and reducing disaster impacts through robust planning and swift interventions.

The agency urged communities to stay informed and cooperate with emergency authorities, stressing that collective action remains vital to reducing the risks and consequences of natural disasters.

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The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) revealed that floods affected 35 states during the period, claiming 1,000 lives and injuring over 16,000. Among the most devastating incidents was the flood in Mokwa, Niger State, which left 200 dead, 121 injured, and more than 1,000 people missing. Additionally, 2,000 homes were destroyed and hundreds of families displaced.

The types of flooding common in Nigeria include:

Coastal flooding, caused by sea water encroachment;

Pluvial flooding, resulting from heavy downpours;

Fluvial flooding, which occurs when rivers overflow their banks.

The Six Key Causes of Flooding in Nigeria:
Heavy Rainfall:
Intense and prolonged rainfall overwhelms the limited drainage systems in many cities, leading to flash floods and river overflows.

Poor Urban Planning:
Many buildings are constructed in flood-prone zones, often blocking natural water flow. Informal settlements and unregulated development have worsened the problem.

Inadequate Waste Management:
Improper disposal of solid waste—especially into gutters and waterways—frequently clogs drainage systems, restricting water flow and triggering urban floods.

Climate Change:
Changing weather patterns have intensified rainfall and contributed to rising sea levels, increasing the frequency and severity of both inland and coastal floods.

Weak Drainage Infrastructure:
Several communities lack proper drainage facilities altogether, while existing systems are often neglected or overwhelmed by the volume of water during storms.

Deforestation:
Widespread tree felling for development or fuel reduces the land’s ability to absorb rainfall. Without adequate vegetation cover, runoff quickly floods low-lying areas.

Environmental experts warn that without urgent intervention, the toll of flooding on infrastructure, agriculture, and human life will continue to escalate. They are calling on government at all levels to invest in urban planning reforms, enforce environmental regulations, and prioritize climate adaptation strategies.

As the rainy season intensifies, communities are being urged to avoid illegal dumping and construction in waterways, and to prepare for emergency evacuation in high-risk areas.

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The engagement, held Tuesday, is part of a broader initiative to strengthen disaster management across Nigeria, with Kogi among seven pilot states selected for the EP\&R program—alongside Delta, Anambra, Jigawa, Kebbi, Ondo, and Gombe.

Representing the Director General of NEMA, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, the Director of Planning, Research and Forecasting, Dr. Bandele Onimode, emphasized the importance of proactive disaster risk reduction. He stated that the program is designed to build resilience in communities most vulnerable to natural and man-made emergencies.

Dr. Onimode highlighted that the initiative aims to reduce disaster-related risks and strengthen institutional capacity at both the state and local government levels.

Mr. Francis Nkoka, Senior Disaster Risk Management Specialist at the World Bank, commended the collaboration, calling it a vital step toward building safer communities through strategic partnerships and data-driven disaster response planning.

Kogi State Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, represented by his Deputy Chief of Staff, Mr. Hillary Ojoma, expressed gratitude to both NEMA and the World Bank. He noted that the engagement would enhance the state’s ability to manage and mitigate the impact of emergencies, especially in flood-prone areas.

Also in attendance were key players from the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Nigerian Red Cross Society, Ministries of Health, Environment, Humanitarian Affairs, Agriculture, and Information, as well as HYPREP, Federal and State Fire Services, FERMA, DSS, NSCDC, KONGONET, and local emergency desk officers.

The event marks a significant step forward in federal-state collaboration to improve Nigeria’s overall disaster preparedness framework.

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The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) confirmed the destruction in a statement on Monday, noting that the incident occurred on June 2 during a heavy rainstorm accompanied by violent winds. Affected areas include Anguwan Amare, Anguwan Hamidu, Anguwan Baki, and Sabon Layi, all within Kaigama Ward.

According to Mr. Ladan Ayuba, Head of NEMA’s Yola Operations Office, initial assessments show that over 300 structures were either destroyed or severely damaged, including private residences, a church, a school, and a hospital.

“Our rapid assessment team has completed the preliminary evaluation. We are now working closely with the Taraba State Emergency Management Agency to finalize a detailed report that will shape our next steps in delivering relief,” Ayuba stated.

In a coordinated response, the North East Development Commission (NEDC) has pledged to rehabilitate all affected households. A delegation from the commission, led by Deputy Director of Relief and Mediation, Hajia Batulu Isa, visited the devastated communities for an on-the-spot assessment.

“We are committed to supporting the victims with food, non-food items, and construction materials. The extent of damage we witnessed is severe, and we are taking swift steps to provide relief,” Isa said.

She added that the assessment report would be presented to the commission’s Managing Director, Alhaji Mohammed Alkali, to trigger immediate intervention.

Local authorities reported that six lives were lost, and more than 30 people sustained injuries, many of whom are receiving treatment at nearby hospitals.

Village head Hashimu Abdulkadir called for urgent support from both state and federal lawmakers representing the area, stressing the need for reconstruction of critical infrastructure such as health and education facilities.

“We are appealing to government officials and stakeholders to prioritize the recovery of our communities,” he said.

One of the displaced residents, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, who survived the storm with her six children, described the aftermath as dire.

“Since the storm hit, we’ve been struggling. We don’t have food, shelter, or clean water. We are pleading for urgent assistance,” she said.

Relief efforts are expected to commence once the final report is submitted, with both agencies promising a coordinated and timely response.

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The initiative, part of NEMA’s 2025 National Preparedness and Response Campaign (NPRC), aims to mitigate the risks of flooding in vulnerable communities. During a stakeholders’ engagement session held in Bauchi, state and federal authorities emphasized the importance of coordinated efforts to minimize the impact of climate-related disasters.

Bauchi State Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, Hon. Hajara Yakubu Wanka, welcomed the collaboration, noting that Governor Bala Mohammed’s administration remains committed to fostering partnerships that protect lives and property.

“This campaign is timely and strategic,” Wanka said. “As we face the growing threat of seasonal disasters, joint efforts are essential for building resilient communities and ensuring rapid and effective response mechanisms.”

Representatives from various emergency and security agencies — including the Nigerian Army, Police, Civil Defence, and Fire Services — attended the meeting, underscoring the inter-agency approach needed to address flood risks effectively.

Speaking at the event, Mr. Bitrus Samuel, Deputy Director of General Services at NEMA, identified Bauchi as one of the states most at risk of flooding based on early warnings issued by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet).

“NEMA is taking a forward-looking stance,” Samuel said. “The goal of this sensitisation is to translate NiMet’s forecasts into actionable information for communities, so they are not caught unprepared.”

Samuel emphasized that disaster risk reduction must begin at the local level. “When communities understand what actions to take ahead of disasters, the chances of loss and displacement significantly reduce,” he added.

As part of the campaign, NEMA also visited Muda Lawal Market — a location previously impacted by both flood and fire incidents. There, agency officials engaged with traders and market leaders to promote disaster readiness.

Mr. Simon Katu, a NEMA official addressing the market stakeholders, encouraged community-driven safety initiatives. “Disaster management is not the sole responsibility of government,” Katu stated. “We’re encouraging individuals to form volunteer groups and take the lead in protecting their own communities.”

He added that the campaign is expected to promote behavioral change, enhance cooperation among stakeholders, and improve local response systems.

By taking the message directly to the people, NEMA hopes to build a more prepared and disaster-resilient nation, with Bauchi serving as a model for community-level preparedness.

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Eyewitnesses reported that while the injured workers were pulled from the debris and taken for medical treatment, there are concerns that others may still be trapped under the rubble. Residents expressed fear that additional victims might be beneath the collapsed structure.

Confirming the incident, Ibrahim Farinloye, the South-West Coordinator of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), stated that a coordinated search and rescue operation was immediately launched. He added that teams from NEMA and other relevant agencies were on the scene working tirelessly to ensure no one is left behind.

Further updates are expected as rescue operations progress.

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This action aims to proactively monitor the flood situation across the country, according to a statement released by NEMA on Wednesday.

The response team consists of specialized personnel trained in search and rescue operations, offering technical support to the Kogi State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and other stakeholders involved in rescue and evacuation efforts. The team will also conduct assessments in the affected areas to determine the extent of damage and the immediate needs of the displaced population.

NEMA’s Director General, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, announced that mobile water purification units have been dispatched to provide emergency clean water to families impacted by the flooding.

NEMA had previously alerted states identified as flood-prone to brace for potential flooding. The agency had also activated all its zonal, territorial, and operations offices, prepositioning critical equipment to ensure a timely response. These resources include search and rescue equipment and evacuation tools to help relocate residents to safer, higher ground.

The states identified as being at high risk of flooding include Adamawa, Taraba, Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi, Edo, Delta, Anambra, Bayelsa, Cross River, Rivers, and Kwara.

“With the activation and deployment, NEMA’s offices nationwide will collaborate with state agencies to set up Emergency Operation Centres for coordinating local actors in the flood response. This will include community advocacy, evacuation planning, identifying safe zones for temporary shelters, and preparing evacuation and rescue equipment,” the statement read.

NEMA is also working with the Military Disaster Response Units, Nigeria Police, Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps, and the Nigerian Red Cross Society, which has mobilized volunteers to assist in the rescue and relief efforts.

The Director General urged residents in flood-prone areas, particularly those living along the Benue and Niger rivers, to remain vigilant and cooperate with emergency responders as NEMA continues to closely monitor the situation.

In Kogi State, the most affected areas include Lokoja, Adavi, Ofu, Ajaokuta, Idah, and Ibaji. Data from NEMA shows that as of October 14, 2024, the flooding had affected 1,659 people, displaced 517, and damaged 1,601 houses across the state.

Nationally, the 2024 flood disaster has impacted 33 states, affecting 208 local government areas. According to NEMA, 317 lives have been lost, 1.27 million people affected, 713,691 displaced, 117,071 houses damaged, 2,852 injuries reported, and 180,828 farmlands destroyed.

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