Fear grips residents, Buhari declares ‘national disaster’ as flood threatens several states

Fear has gripped residents of several states in Nigeria over reports by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency that River Benue and River Niger had almost reached levels that could result in devastating flood.

A similar incident was recorded in 2012, when flooding resulted in the loss of over 300 lives and destruction of property.

In recent weeks, intense flooding has been recorded in Adamawa, Kano, Jigawa, Plateau, Delta, Edo, Kogi and Anambra states.

Several deaths have already been recorded. At least 45 people have died in Adamawa, while deaths have been recorded in Kano, Jigawa, and Niger states.

President Buhari on Sunday ordered the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to declare a “national disaster’’ over the disturbing development.

Buhari, in a letter to the agency’s Director General, Mustapha Maihaja, said NEMA should activate “the procurement and proportionate stocking of relief materials and health related items up to N3billion to provide for the needs of possible victims.’’

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Maihaja has immediately activated five emergency operation centres to cover Niger, Kwara, Kogi, Edo, Benue, Taraba, Adamawa, Anambra, Delta, Rivers and Bayelsa states.

The centres have been established to localise responses and expedite interventions to save lives and facilitate quick recovery.