News
NEMA Steps Up Flood Response Efforts Across Nigeria
NEMA Steps Up Flood Response Efforts Across Nigeria
By: Abdulkadir Ibrahim
In the wake of recent devastating floods that have severely impacted communities across Nigeria, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has intensified its efforts to mitigate the effects and provide essential relief to those affected. The scale of the disaster is significant, with 27 states affected, over 227,000 people displaced or impacted, 32,837 houses destroyed, and 16,488 hectares of farmland ravaged, according to data from NEMA’s Emergency Operations Centre.
This latest flood disaster underscores the vulnerability of many communities across the country to extreme weather events, which are becoming more frequent and severe due to climate change. NEMA’s rapid response is crucial in providing immediate relief and preventing further loss of life and property.
Proactive Measures and Timely Response
NEMA’s swift and decisive response to these flooding incidents highlights the agency’s commitment to disaster preparedness and proactive crisis management. Even before the floods struck, NEMA had taken steps to ensure a rapid response by mobilizing search and rescue teams, and placing all its zonal and operational offices on high alert. This foresight and readiness were essential in mitigating the immediate impacts of the floods, allowing for a quick deployment of resources and personnel to the most affected areas.
One of the key aspects of NEMA’s response strategy has been its collaboration with the various State Emergency Management Agencies (SEMAs). By working closely with state governments, NEMA has been able to conduct comprehensive assessments of the flood’s impact and coordinate the deployment of relief materials. These efforts have been instrumental in ensuring that assistance reaches those in need without delay.
The relief items stockpiled for immediate deployment by NEMA include essential supplies such as food, clothing, medical supplies, and temporary shelter. These items are critical in providing immediate support to displaced individuals and families, helping them to stabilize their situation as they begin the process of rebuilding their lives. The agency’s ability to rapidly mobilize and deliver these resources reflects its operational efficiency and the importance of its preparedness measures.
Public Awareness and Preventive Measures
While immediate relief efforts are essential, NEMA is also focused on long-term strategies to reduce the impact of future flooding incidents. One of the core components of this strategy is public education. NEMA has intensified its public sensitization campaigns, which are designed to raise awareness about the importance of solid waste management and the need to keep drainages and waterways clear. Blocked waterways are a major cause of flooding, and by addressing this issue, NEMA hopes to reduce the frequency and severity of future floods.
Grassroots awareness programs have been rolled out across the country, targeting communities that are particularly vulnerable to flooding. These programs involve workshops and advocacy campaigns aimed at educating residents on how to protect their environment and reduce the risk of floods. NEMA is also working with local governments and community leaders to promote the adoption of best practices in waste management and environmental stewardship.
Director General Zubaida Umar has been at the forefront of these efforts, emphasizing the critical role that communities play in flood prevention and response. She has urged communities living along waterways and in other high-risk areas to take proactive measures by relocating to safer, higher grounds ahead of the peak rainy season. Such preemptive actions are vital in reducing the potential for casualties and significant property damage.
Call to Action for Stakeholders
In addition to its efforts at the community level, NEMA is calling on all stakeholders involved in disaster management to remain vigilant and prepared to activate their flood response plans at short notice. With the increasing frequency of flood incidents, it is essential that SEMAs, local governments, and community leaders are ready to respond quickly and effectively to protect lives and property.
Director General Umar has also addressed concerns from farmers regarding the temporary dry season being experienced in some states. She assured them that this situation is temporary and is in line with the seasonal climate predictions released earlier this year by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet). She advised farmers to remain calm and continue their agricultural activities, while staying informed about weather updates to ensure they can take appropriate action when necessary.
Commitment to Efficient Disaster Management
NEMA’s ongoing efforts to address the recent floods and prevent future disasters highlight the agency’s unwavering commitment to efficient disaster management in Nigeria. The agency’s proactive approach, which includes early preparedness, public education, and strong collaboration with state and local governments, serves as a model for disaster management practices across the country.
As Nigeria continues to face the challenges posed by climate change and environmental degradation, NEMA’s work is more important than ever. The agency’s ability to coordinate timely responses, enhance public awareness, and foster collaboration among various stakeholders is critical in mitigating the effects of natural disasters and ensuring the safety and well-being of Nigerian citizens.
NEMA’s efforts also underscore the importance of community involvement in disaster management. By empowering communities with the knowledge and tools they need to protect themselves, NEMA is helping to build a more resilient nation, capable of withstanding the increasing threat of natural disasters.
Looking Ahead
The challenges of managing natural disasters in Nigeria are complex and multifaceted, requiring a coordinated and sustained effort from all levels of government, as well as the active participation of the public. NEMA’s proactive stance, combined with its emphasis on preparedness, education, and collaboration, will be crucial in addressing these challenges and reducing the impact of future disasters.
As the rainy season continues, NEMA will remain vigilant, ready to respond to new flood incidents as they arise. The agency’s commitment to protecting lives and property, coupled with its focus on long-term disaster prevention, positions it as a key player in Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to manage and mitigate the risks associated with natural disasters.
*Abdulkadir Ibrahim
Press Unit NEMA Headquarters Abuja
16th August 2024
NEMA Steps Up Flood Response Efforts Across Nigeria
Security forces Conduct Show of Force In Jos, Bukuru During Church Services
By: Zagazola Makama
Joint Security forced in Plateau State on Sunday conducted a joint show of force across major flashpoints within Jos metropolis and the Bukuru general area to ensure peaceful church services and strengthen public confidence.
The operation involved troops of Operation Enduring Peace, personnel of the Nigerian Air Force 551 Station, Operation Keystone, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and other security agencies.
Security sources said the exercise commenced at about 7:30 a.m. and was aimed at denying criminal elements freedom of action while providing adequate security coverage during church services.
The coordinated patrols and visibility operations covered identified vulnerable areas and strategic locations within Jos and Bukuru.
According to the sources, the operation was conducted without any security breach or incident, while religious activities across the affected areas remained peaceful.
The security agencies reaffirmed their commitment to sustaining collaborative operations aimed at maintaining law and order as well as protecting lives and property in Plateau State.
Security forces Conduct Show of Force In Jos, Bukuru During Church Services
Teenage Sensations Rosemary, Miracle Win Gold for Nigeria, Secure World Championship Spot
Nigeria recorded a major triumph at the 24th CAA Senior Athletics Championship in Accra, Ghana, as teenage athletes Rosemary and Miracle delivered a stunning performance to win gold for the country in the women’s 4x100m relay event.
The young stars, both students of NTIC Secondary School, helped Team Nigeria clinch the gold medal with an impressive time of 42.94 seconds, further underlining the country’s growing strength in athletics.
Their victory also secured Nigeria a ticket to the World Championships in Gaborone, while guaranteeing qualification for the 2027 World Championship in China.
The feat was particularly remarkable for Rosemary, who was making her senior debut for Nigeria at the continental championship.
Sports enthusiasts have since praised the duo for proving that age is no barrier to excellence, with many describing their performance as a glimpse into the bright future of Nigerian athletics.
Teenage Sensations Rosemary, Miracle Win Gold for Nigeria, Secure World Championship Spot
News
The Role of Intelligence in the Nigeria-US Joint Counter-Terrorism Operations That Neutralized Top ISWAP Commander, Fighters
The Role of Intelligence in the Nigeria-US Joint Counter-Terrorism Operations That Neutralized Top ISWAP Commander, Fighters
By Augustine Aminu
On Friday, May 16, 2026, the world was jolted by news of the killing of top commander of the Islamic State’s West Africa Province (ISWAP), Abour Mainok and several other fighters. Also known as Abu Bilal al-Minuki, and considered the second-in-command of ISIL (ISIS) globally, the top terrorist commander was reportedly killed during a joint Nigeria-U.S. Counter Terrorism operation in Metele, Borno State.
Ever since the elimination of al-Minuki, considered one of the biggest blows in recent times to terrorists in the world over, torrents of encomium have been pouring in for the Nigeria -U. S. joint terrorism operations.
Posting on his Truth Social handle, U. S. President Donald Trump, wrote, “Brave American forces and the Armed Forces of Nigeria flawlessly executed a meticulously planned and very complex mission to eliminate the most active terrorist in the world from the battlefield,”
Al-Minuki, added President Trump, “thought he could hide in Africa, but little did he know we had sources who kept us informed on what he was doing.”
On his part, President Bola Tinubu stated that both countries had “recorded a significant example of effective collaboration in the fight against terrorism”.
Early assessments indicate that al-Minuki, along with “several of his lieutenants,” were killed during a strike on his compound in Metele, Borno State,” Tinubu said.
“Nigeria appreciates this partnership with the United States in advancing our shared security objectives,” he added. “I extend my sincere gratitude to President Trump for his leadership and unwavering support in this effort,” he added.
A few days after President Trump praised Nigerian Intelligence services for helping to hunt down Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, a man he described as “the most active terrorist in the world,” US Air Force General, Dagvin R.M. Anderson, Commander of U.S. Africa Command, also spoke glowingly of Nigeria’s Intelligence services.
Remarked Anderson, “The Nigerians have been instrumental throughout the last several months, developing the target, helping us with the Intelligence and providing support. So, it could not have been done by our own Forces. We needed to do that in conjunction with them.”
Security sources who analyzed President Trump’s terse statement, alongside that of the to head of AFRICOM, General Anderson, were quick to point out that the “sources” who kept the United States and Nigerian Armed Forces informed of the movements of al-Minuki and his fighters, may be none other than Nigeria’s Intelligence agencies: the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigerian Intelligence Agency (NIA), and Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA).
Interestingly, six days before al-Minuki’s elimination, something crucial to the fight against terrorism happened in one North central town, well over 1,100 kilometres away from Metele, Borno State, where al-Minuki and over 175 of his fighters would meet their Waterloo.
Just as DSS, NIA and DIA operatives were helping US and Nigerian troops monitor the movement of Al-Minuki and his fighters around the Lake Chad region, a set of DSS operatives covertly captured a notorious leader of one of ISWAP’s critical cell in Nigeria . His name is Abdulrahman Ozovieh Muhammad alias Abu Ghozi.
Abu Ghozi, security sources believe, masterminded the December 2020 attack on a military checkpoint in Okene, killing two naval personnel and carting away their weapons.
Additionally, Abu Ghozi is believed to have masterminded the 11th March, 2021 bank robbery at Okuku, in Oda-Atin LGA of Osun State; carried out several attacks on police formations in Okene, Okehi and Adavi LGAs. He didn’t spare security checkpoints along Okene-Auchi, Okene –Kabba and Okene-Ajaokuta roads.
Also believed to be behind several kidnaps, including the October 2025 kidnap of a Chinese national in Okpella, Edo State, during which eight personnel of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) were killed, is Abu Ghozi.
In January, 2026, his group reportedly attacked and burnt down the house of the Chief Priest at Uhodo area of Okehi LGA. Members of his suspected terrorist group were, before his arrest by the DSS, reportedly set to attack detention facilities in Kainji and Abuja, to release detained members of their group.
Security sources believe that Abu Ghozi’s capture by DSS officers may have greatly helped the Nigerian Intelligence Services (DSS, NIA and DIA) gather further Intelligence that was ultimately used to nail al-Minuki and his fighters six days later in faraway Metele, Borno State.
No doubt, Nigeria’s Intelligence community and their military counterpart again proved very invaluable to the recent successes in the global fight against terrorism, and helped position Nigeria as a very trusted ally in the fight against terrorism.
For the first time since Nigeria began fighting terrorism circa 2010, the country has now fully turned the heat on terrorists, smoking them.out on a daily basis.. The recent successes recorded shows that with our Armed Forces increasingly relying on the intelligence supplied by the DSS, NIA and DIA, Nigeria will sooner than later overcome her security challenges.
Aminu has been online editor of several newspapers, and lives in Abuja
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