The Federal Government has issued a seven-day high riverine flood alert for 15 states, warning residents of vulnerable communities to relocate people, livestock and valuables to safer and higher ground as rising river levels threaten communities, schools, healthcare facilities, markets, farms and religious centres.
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The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NiHSA) said the alert, designated NFA-2026-262, covers the period from September 19 to 25, 2026, following forecasts of rising river stages and increased riverine flood risk. The affected states are Imo, Cross River, Ebonyi, Benue, Anambra, Akwa Ibom, Lagos, Rivers, Edo, Kogi, Taraba, Delta, Bayelsa, Enugu and Abia.
NiHSA Director-General and Chief Executive Officer, Umar Mohammed, said nine river monitoring stations were considered at risk and required close attention, identifying Obubra, Itigidi and Epento on the Cross River among the locations highlighted in the assessment.
“High riverine flood risk forecast for the next seven days across Imo, Cross River and 13 other states. Rising river stages are expected to cause flooding,” Mohammed said.
“Communities on the floodplain should prepare to move to higher ground. Stations: Obubra on the Cross River, Itigidi on the Cross River, and Epento on the Cross River.”
The agency urged state and local governments, emergency management agencies, traditional rulers and community leaders to activate precautionary and emergency-response measures, stressing that early action could reduce loss of lives, property and livelihoods.
In Imo State, the affected local government areas include Aboh-Mbaise, Ahiazu-Mbaise, Ehime-Mbano, Ezinihitte, Ideato North, Ihitte-Uboma and Ikeduru. NiHSA identified 958 communities, 1,022 schools, 553 healthcare facilities, 161 markets and 198 religious buildings as exposed to flood risk.
Cross River has one of the largest identified exposure levels. The affected areas include Abi, Akamkpa, Akpabuyo, Biase, Calabar, Calabar South, Ikom and Obubra. According to the assessment, 2,471 communities, 703 schools, 344 healthcare facilities, 145 markets, 453 religious buildings and 854 hectares of farmland are potentially exposed.
In Ebonyi State, NiHSA identified Abakaliki, Afikpo, Afikpo South, Ebonyi, Ezza North and Ezza among the affected areas. The agency said 2,574 communities, 1,064 schools, 422 healthcare facilities, 480 markets, 629 religious buildings and 1,882 hectares of farmland are within areas exposed to the predicted flooding.
For Benue State, the areas listed include Buruku, Gboko, Guma, Katsina-Ala, Logo and Ukum, with 303 communities, 100 schools, 48 healthcare facilities, 32 markets, 151 religious buildings and 55 hectares of farmland identified as exposed.
In Anambra State, NiHSA listed Aguata, Anambra East, Anambra West, Anaocha, Awka North, Awka South and Ayamelum among the areas facing flood risk.
The assessment said 1,314 communities, 1,308 schools, 1,089 healthcare facilities, 280 markets, 610 religious buildings and 1,529 hectares of farmland are exposed in the state.
For Akwa Ibom State, the affected local government areas include Abak, Eket, Etinan, Ibeno, Ibesikpo Asutan, Ibiono Ibom, Ika and Ikono. NiHSA identified 249 communities, 323 schools, 211 healthcare facilities, 74 markets and 289 religious buildings as potentially exposed.
The agency further listed Lagos, Rivers, Edo, Kogi, Taraba, Delta, Bayelsa, Enugu and Abia among the other states covered by the seven-day high-risk advisory.
Mohammed advised people living in flood-prone areas to avoid attempting to cross flooded roads, bridges or fast-moving water either on foot or in vehicles.
He also called for the pre-positioning of relief materials, safe drinking water, water-treatment supplies and first-aid materials, while communities were urged to identify and prepare safe shelters for possible temporary evacuation.
NiHSA further advised communities to clear blocked drainage channels and river outlets where it is safe to do so and warned against building or remaining in vulnerable floodplain areas.
The agency said it would continue monitoring river levels and hydrological conditions across the country and issue further alerts where necessary.
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