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States on high alert as Adamawa flood death toll rises

Published

1 year ago

July 28, 2025

Following the devastating flood that swept through parts of Adamawa State on Sunday, leaving dozens — many of them children — missing and hundreds displaced, other states across the country are scrambling to avert a similar catastrophe.

With floodwaters wreaking havoc in communities like Shagari Low Cost and Yolde Pate in Yola, the Adamawa State capital, the disaster has triggered widespread emergency response efforts nationwide. From Anambra and Sokoto to Gombe, Edo, Ogun, Bayelsa, and beyond, state governments are activating flood preparedness plans, clearing drainage channels, assessing dam stability, and intensifying public sensitisation campaigns as warnings from meteorological agencies signal a potentially severe flood season ahead.

The PUNCH learnt the torrential rain began around 1am and intensified through the early hours. By 3am, homes in the Shagari and Sabon Pegi areas were already collapsing as floodwaters surged through streets and into buildings.

Initial reports claimed two people died from the disaster with dozens of unconfirmed number of people, especially children, declared missing following the over six hours of downpour in parts.

Over 600 houses were washed away, according to some of the victims, who narrowly escaped death but were still searching for their family members.

As at the time of filing this report, reports indicate that at least eight people have been found dead.

According to HumAngle, a media platform committed to coverage of Africa’s conflict, humanitarian, and development issues, two children were swept away in Sapon Pegi. The victims bodies were recovered by the National Emergency Management Agency.

In Ibunu Abbas community, also known as Yola bypass, locals said NEMA officials pulled out six dead bodies, four of the bodies men who were said to be workers in a bakery while the other two were children found alongside a drainage system.

The bodies have been deposited at the morgue in the Moddibo Adamawa Teaching Hospital, Yola.

A tearful Abubakar Adamu, a resident of Sabon Pegi, said, “Many lives were lost, especially children. We’re still trying to confirm the exact number of casualties in this ugly disaster.”

When The PUNCH sought confirmation of the death toll, the PPRO, Adamawa State Police Command, SP Suleiman Nguroje, said he could not give a definite number, adding that efforts were still ongoing to rescue more residents of the affected areas.

“The Adamawa State Police Command’s operatives deployed to the affected areas are still searching and rescuing the victims of the flooding,” Nguroje said.

“As law enforcement officers, we stand with full strength and solidarity with the affected communities during this difficult time.”

Following the devastating flooding in Mokwa that claimed several lives, NEMA last month deployed officials to 15 high-risk states, including Adamawa, to intensify public awareness on the looming flood threats and the urgent need for residents in vulnerable areas to relocate.

Just last week, the Executive Secretary of the Adamawa State Emergency Management Agency, Dr. Celine Laori, issued a fresh warning to residents living in low-lying communities, urging them to move to higher ground to avoid loss of lives as flooding risks escalate.

Anambra constitutes committee

Ahead of the looming flood threats, Anambra State Government expressed its preparedness to respond effectively and strategically to flood-related emergencies by taking precautionary measures across the state to avert any disaster.

The state’s Commissioner for Environment, Dr Felix Odimegwu, made this known in an interview with our correspondent on Sunday, stating that the state government had embarked on a campaign and sensitisation, in response to early warnings from NiMET indicating that Anambra was among the states at high risk of flooding during the rainy season.

Odimegwu said Governor Chukwuma Soludo had shown great concern to flood devastations in the state in the last three years and as a result, has constituted committees headed by the Deputy Governor, Dr Onyekachi Ibezim.

According to him, the committees constitute officials of the Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Information, Ministry of Education, local government chairmen, and the State Emergency Management Agency.

“The reason for constituting the committees is for us to strategise and put measures in place ahead of this year’s flooding, in case it occurs. The committees were formed since 2022 when flood devastated about nine local government areas of the state.

“After the first six months seasonal prediction by NiMet, we disseminated the information and notified residents, especially those living at the coastal areas about the upcoming rainfall and flooding consequences, and urged the general public to be absolutely careful and prepared for it.

“The state government has consistently sensitised the people to desist from blocking water channels and drainages in and around surroundings of their houses to pave way for easy flow of flooding. The blockage of water drainages is the root cause of man-made flooding.

“What we are doing is that whatever would cause flooding in the urban areas by man, we will try to prevent it. But if it is the flooding caused by river rising above the sea level, we will give warning to people living in the riverine areas to prepare on how to vacate.”

According to him, drainages and reservoirs such as Nkissi Reservoir in Onitsha, Ogboji Reservoir in Ogboji and Okpuru Okwor-Ngbo Reservoir have been upgraded to hold more flood waters.

One of our correspondents also gathered that officials of the National Emergency Management Agency, have embarked on sensitisation programme in two flood-prone local government areas: Anambra East and Ogbaru, as part of measures to prepare the people ahead of the 2025 flood.

Eight local government areas of the state namely, Anambra East, Anambra West, Ayamelum, Ogbaru, Idemili South, Awka North, Ihiala and Ekwusigo, are usually affected by the annual flood disaster.

Inspection in Edo

The Executive Director/CEO of the Edo State Flood, Erosion and Watershed Management Agency, Ahmed Momoh, said the government, through the agency, had fared well in the management of flood in the state after NiMET’s geria warning earlier in the year.

He said, “In a renewed effort to tackle the persistent challenge of erosion and flooding in Edo State, we embarked on a strategic inspection tour across critical gully erosion sites in Edo North. The visit underscores the agency’s unwavering commitment to identifying and addressing environmental degradation, especially in erosion-prone areas.

He said the agency was desilting drains and water passages in the state to reduce the effect of flooding.

He said, “FEWMA got approval from Governor Monday Okpebholo to desilt our drainages and water passages which has not been done as more rain this year in some states including Edo.

“We have desilted and freed drainages of debris and opened the way for water to flow and that will reduce the flooding.

“We are also looking at other measures that will curtail flooding and save Edo people who suffer from the devastating effect of the flood.

“There are camps already set up to relocate residents in highly flood prone areas like Ilushi, Udaba, Aghenebode, as a result of the River Niger overflowing.

“SEMA Edo State has arrangements to ensure that residents are also taken care of. The state government has already put up all the machinery to ameliorate the effect of flooding in the state.”

Bayelsa prepares buffers

Also, the Bayelsa State Government says it has prepared buffers against the anticipated flooding by carrying out the clearing of natural water channels in the capital, Yenagoa, and other parts of the state.

Bayelsa, lying six feet below sea level, is also the flood plain of Nigeria as both the Niger and Benue channel their waters into the Atlantic Ocean through the riverine state.

It has no dams and there are no permanent IDP camps as well as higher grounds hence any huge flood affects nearly all the local government areas of the state except the areas close to the Atlantic Ocean.

Bayelsa has established a flooding break for both public and private schools across the state and the vacated public schools are used as IDP camps for those displaced by floods.

Head, Bayelsa State Directorate of Flood and Erosion Control, Walson Omusu, while reacting to the heavy rainfall on Sunday, said the state was prepared to ensure there was no devastating effects from flooding this year and beyond.

Due to the devastation caused by the 2012 floods, then governor, Senator Seriake Dickson, directed that all future public roads should be raised by another 12 inches.

After the 2022 floods that caused destruction, current governor, Senator Douye Diri, set up the Directorate of Flood and Erosion Control to mitigate the effects of flooding in the state.

And, Omusu, the pioneer head of the Bayelsa State Directorate of Flood and Erosion Control said, “We are ready. We are always ready.”

Omusu said the agency had carried out massive clearing of natural water channels in Yenagoa and other areas in a bid to reduce the impact of this year’s flood.

Sokoto LGs assessment

In the wake of recent heavy rains that triggered severe flooding across parts of Sokoto State, SEMA, in collaboration with NEMA, has embarked on a joint impact assessments in the worst-hit local government areas: Yabo, Shagari, and Tureta.

In Yabo town, the joint team visited several flood-ravaged areas, including Shiyar Hegin-Rafi, Shiyar Sarkin Fawa, Shiyar Ubandoma, Shiyar Ubandawaki (Garkar Audu), and Kofar-bai.

At Shiyar Sarkin Fawa, six apartments belonging to Malam Rufa’i Bala were completely destroyed. In Shiyar Ubandawaki, two rooms belonging to Balan-Bawa Dankande suffered heavy damage, while five rooms owned by Malam Sabo Maikaji at Hegin Sarkin Fawa were affected.

One of the worst-hit families is that of Muhammadu Dan Nanuwa at Garkar Audu, where six of the eight rooms in their compound were washed away.

Similarly, at Kofar-bai, the 89-year-old Malam Bango Altine lost five rooms to the flood, leaving six family members temporarily sheltered by neighbors.

The residence of the Sarkin-Kabin Yabo also had its roof and ceiling severely damaged.

Also the flood in Shagari LGA, which occurred on July 24, impacted more than ten communities, including Lambara, Kambama, Mazoji, Jaredi, Shagari Town, Kajiji, Lokoko, Sanyin-Lawan, and Karoga.

Led by the Local Government Desk Officer, Ibrahim Abubakar, the assessment team reported widespread damage to houses and farmlands. In Illela-Chofal, a large expanse of farmland in Fadamar-Kangi was found to be completely submerged.

The situation in Tureta LG was equally devastating, with over 250 Internally Displaced Persons affected. Led by the Chairman of Tureta LG, Aliyu Abubakar, the assessment covered communities such as Inwala, Shiyar DanDile, and Lambar-Tureta.

The flood, which struck on July 23 and 25, destroyed numerous homes, including the residence of Federal Road Safety Corps officer Salisu Muhammad while two women sustained injuries from a wall collapse, though no fatalities were reported.

At Ala community, a house belonging to Malam Shehu Ala was completely destroyed by the July 23 flood. Preliminary findings identified poor drainage as a key factor behind the flooding in Lambar-Tureta.

Meanwhile, authorities from both SEMA and NEMA say detailed damage reports are being compiled to inform relief interventions and long-term mitigation efforts. Temporary shelters have already been provided in some affected communities, especially for displaced families and IDPs.

The agencies reiterated their commitment to supporting flood victims and working with local councils to prevent future disasters through improved urban planning and drainage infrastructure.

Imo prepare

Also, the Imo State Government, through the Commissioner for Special Duties, Dr Chika Abazu, held a flood preparedness planning committee meeting with representatives of key disaster management agencies.

Head of NEMA in Imo State, Nnamdi Igwe, said they resolved to form technical sub-committees to handle various components of the preparedness plan, such as logistics, health and sanitation, risk communication, and evacuation planning.

Igwe said key resolutions and action plans from the meeting are to immediately “begin a coordinated public awareness campaign in high-risk LGs, conduct joint assessment in identifying flood-prone areas in communities, preposition emergency supplies and resources across the state, activate Local Emergency Management Committees and ensure regular reporting, and that each intervention agency to submit a tailored contingency plan for harmonisation into the state’s master flood response plan.”

Those at the meeting were representatives from NEMA, Imo SEMA, Imo State Ministries of Environment and Health, National Orientation Agency, Nigerian Red Cross Society, National Inland Waterways Authority, National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency, Local Government Emergency Officers, traditional leaders, and community-based organisations

NEMA had held sensitisation workshop in Owerri with other agencies, including the Federal Fire Service, who have trained divers to rescue trapped people in floods.

Ogun statewide sensitisation

The Ogun SEMA has begun campaign across the state to avert flooding. This move, according to a statement on Sunday, is in response to mitigating against flooding as recently predicted by NiMET.

Some of the places visited include Kuto, Amolasho, Gbangba and other locations in Abeokuta South Local Government Area.

Speaking during the sensitisation tour, acting Director, Ogun SEMA, Soji Durojaye, urged residents to take proactive measures against flooding, saying flood-prone communities in the state should be on alert.

Durojaye emphasised that government was committed to safeguarding lives and property, but residents must also play their part by adhering strictly to safety guidelines.

He said, “Indiscriminate dumping of refuse in drainage channels and illegal construction on waterways remain major causes of flooding, I am therefore appealing to community leaders and residents to help spread the message of environmental responsibility.

“NIMET had predicted heavy rainfall for the year, which could lead to flash floods in some areas, so, as residents, especially those living in flood-prone areas, we are to be vigilant and to consider relocating temporarily if the need arises.”

Durojaye also stressed the need for clearing blocked drainages and planting trees to reduce soil erosion.

He explained that flooding was not only caused by excessive rainfall but also by poor environmental practices adding that “if every household ensures proper waste disposal and clear their surroundings, the impact of flooding will be greatly reduced.”

While assuring residents of the government’s readiness to respond swiftly to emergencies, the OGSEMA director disclosed that emergency response teams had been placed on alert across the 20 Local Government Areas of the state.

He encouraged residents to report early signs of flooding or erosion to the agency through its dedicated emergency hotline, 112.

n their separate responses, a trader at Kuto, Mrs. Adetutu Mustapha and a resident of Amolasho, Mr. Samuel Adegboyega, appreciated the initiative and promised to adhere to the warnings.

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Belgian parliament to legislate to allow police to enter homes to facilitate undocumented migrant removals

Published

13 hours ago

October 9, 2026

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

Belgian police will soon be able, in conjunction with the Immigration Office (DVZ), to enter the homes of undocumented migrants who pose a threat to public order or national security. This is set out in a bill drafted by the Belgian Asylum and Migration Minister, Anneleen Van Bossuyt (Flemish nationalist N-VA), and Justice Minister Annelies Verlinden (Flemish Christian democrat CD&V), which has now been approved by the House Home Affairs Committee. The proposal still needs to be OKed during a plenary session of the lower house of the Belgian parliament.

Home searches like these are controversial. The aim is to make it easier to deport people residing here illegally and who persistently refuse to cooperate with efforts to facilitate their return.

The new law will make this possible. Following entry into the home, the police may place the person in question – that is, the individual who poses a threat to public order or national security – under administrative detention. However, prior authorisation from an investigating judge is required to enter the home.

Speaking to press agency Belga, Minister Van Bossuyt referred to this as “an historic breakthrough” and had previously said that this “is the final piece in a firm but humane return policy”.

“This is not a witch-hunt against people who have international protection or are simply in the country illegally (..) The law sets out clear conditions, and a search of a home can only take place with the authorisation of an investigating judge.”

(Overly) broad definitions

The bill did, however, attract a great deal of comment and was extensively discussed in parliament.

The opposition, the federal police, investigating judges and lawyers alike were highly critical. They believe that the exact meaning of ‘a threat to public order or national security’ has not been defined clearly enough.

“It will be up to the investigating judge to determine whether someone poses a threat to public order or national security,” says Van Bossuyt. “The judge will independently assess whether that person poses such a threat. That is a crucial test.”

Minister Van Bossuyt finds the debate strange: “The concepts of public order and national security feature in many parts of our legislation. Nowhere is a specific list provided of what they entail.” What is more, according to Van Bossuyt, the Council of State, which vets Belgian draft legislation, has explicitly stated that it is not desirable to define these concepts, as they may evolve over time.

“When the Justice Minister drafts new legislation, she isn’t asked how judges should apply that law, is she?” Van Bossuyt notes.

Van Bossuyt has also tabled an amendment to her own bill: “We have given investigating judges more time to reach a decision, from 5 days to 7.”

She emphasises that their role is not merely reduced to that of a ‘rubber-stamp judge’: “The investigating judge will absolutely not be a rubber-stamp judge, precisely because they play such a crucial role in assessing whether someone poses a threat or not. They will have access to the full case file.”

What about minors?

Another point of criticism concerns the rights of minors. According to critics, these are not sufficiently safeguarded. Government party Les Engagés (Francophone centrist) was only prepared to vote for the bill if greater protection for minors was provided.

“When authorising a search of a home, the investigating judge must determine all the conditions under which that search may take place,” explains Van Bossuyt. “If, for example, children are present, the investigating judge can stipulate that the search must take place during school hours. In that case, the likelihood of children being present is very low.”

The investigating judge may also, for example, require a psychologist to be present during the search, says Van Bossuyt. “So, the possible presence of minors has certainly been taken into account.”

The minister also points to the responsibility of the person who poses a threat to public order or national security: “It is that person who is making life difficult for those children,” says the minister.

Desperately needed, according to Van Bossuyt

Government party, Les Engagés, did not secure all the amendments it had requested, so MP Xavier Dubois boycotted the second reading. However, his group leader, Aurore Tourneur, did defend the amendments in the House Home Affairs Committee.

This enabled the majority to approve the bill after all, with the support of the Flemish liberal opposition party Anders. Although they, too, called for further amendments.

The left-wing opposition parties voted against. The far-right Vlaams Belang abstained. According to MP Francesca Van Belleghem, the law has been “so watered down by coalition negotiations that it will have virtually no effect in practice”.

‘This was a sensitive bill for several government parties: that’s no secret. In practice, there was an absolute need for this,’ concludes Van Bossuyt.

The bill must now be put to a vote during a plenary session, where the law can be definitively approved.

Speaking to Belga, the minister warned local authorities that have already announced they will not permit home visits, such as Leuven. “Be fully aware of what that choice means. If you refuse to implement this law and things go wrong, do not point the finger at the federal government afterwards. Because then you will be jeopardising the safety of your own residents” she said.

Source: VRT.BE

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Trump rules out new Iran attack before US midterm elections

Published

16 hours ago

October 9, 2026

Newsbreak365_Admin

President Donald Trump ruled out Thursday attacking Iran before the US midterms on November 3, saying Washington was holding “productive discussions” with Tehran.

Trump’s announcement on his Truth Social platform followed a surge in oil prices driven by media reports suggesting potential new US strikes prior to the elections.

“I want to make it clear to everybody that, while Iran is in very bad condition, both economically and militarily, and while the Blockade will remain in full force and effect…we will not be attacking Iran at any time prior to the Midterm Elections,” he wrote.

“We are having productive discussions with the Islamic Republic of Iran,” he added.

The Atlantic magazine reported on Wednesday that the White House had asked the Pentagon to develop options to strike Iranian targets that could be used before the midterms.

The New York Times said Thursday the plans were being developed despite Trump’s “ambivalence.”

The surge in crude oil prices has also been fueled by persistent tensions in the Strait of Hormuz — a strategic chokepoint for the global oil trade — as well as hostilities between Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis and Saudi Arabia.

Polls suggest American voters are strongly dissatisfied with fuel prices, which have soared since US-Israeli strikes against Iran on February 28 triggered the conflict.

Brent North Sea crude, the international benchmark, rallied to as high as $105.88 a barrel on Thursday before retreating to $104.28.

– Putin vows to help –

Russian President Vladimir Putin promised Thursday to “do everything” to help end the Middle East war when he met Iranian counterpart Masoud Pezeshkian for talks ahead of a regional summit, Russian media reported.

“We are ready to do everything that is in our power to contribute to the settlement of this situation,” Putin said after arriving in Turkmenistan for a summit of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) that starts Friday in the Caspian Sea resort of Avaza.

He added that Iran had made “real efforts to end the war,” according to Russian news agencies.

Russia and Iran have reinforced diplomatic and military links since Russia launched its offensive in Ukraine in February 2022, becoming increasingly reliant on each other.

Trump has repeatedly insisted in recent weeks that the United States has effectively won the Iran war, despite ongoing unrest and a recent security threat that forced the withdrawal of American bombers from a base in England.

Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian insisted Tehran was “engaged in dialogue, but every time we negotiate with the United States, they attack again”, Iranian state media quoted him as saying at the talks with Putin.

Pezeshkian said the Islamic republic wanted to see a “final framework” to end the war.

But he accused the United States of “trying to impose its policies and views on all countries”.

“If the United States insists on pursuing a unilateral approach, a resolution will not be possible,” he said, according to state media.

– Approaching election –

The midterm elections will shape the final two years of Trump’s presidential term as his Republican Party risks losing its current grip on Congress.

Although Trump is not on the ballot, he is holding numerous rallies in an attempt to limit the damage or even turn the political tide.

Trump has warned he faces a possible third impeachment if Democrats retake the House of Representatives, and the White House is preparing for a slew of investigations into corruption and abuse of power.

The US president also sought to calm a furor on Thursday over his comments at a rally earlier this week that Iran could “take out” the cities of Los Angeles and San Diego.

The 80-year-old blamed the “fake and artificial news” for misinterpreting the remarks, which Democrats pounced on.

“In actuality, what I was talking about was that a temporary increase in the price of Gasoline is a small price to pay for Iran not having a Nuclear Weapon and, if you want to see a big price, can you imagine what it would be like if they bombed San Diego and/or Los Angeles?” Trump said on Truth Social.

AFP

Source: punchng.com

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INEC displays voter register, begins PVC distribution ahead of 2027 elections

Published

16 hours ago

October 9, 2026

Newsbreak365_Admin

The Independent National Electoral Commission has commenced the display of the preliminary register of voters and distribution of Permanent Voter Cards across states as part of preparations for the 2027 general elections.

The seven-day exercise, which begins on Friday and runs through October 15, will allow registered voters to verify their details, raise claims and objections, and collect PVCs from the first phase of the Continuous Voter Registration conducted between August and December 2025.

In Plateau and Sokoto states, the respective Resident Electoral Commissioners announced that the exercise would take place at Registration Area centres, with PVC collection continuing at INEC offices at the local government level after the display period.

In a statement by the Plateau REC, Prof. Sam Egwu, made available to journalists in Jos on Thursday, the commission said the exercise was pursuant to Section 19(1) of the Electoral Act 2026, which mandates it to display the voter register not less than 90 days before the general elections.

He said, “The Independent National Electoral Commission, Plateau State, wishes to inform the good people of Plateau State that the commission will commence display of the Preliminary Register of Voters, attend to the hearing of claims and objections as well as collection of Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) simultaneously in all the 207 Registration Areas in the state, from the 9th to 15th of October 2026 (7 days and weekends inclusive). Time is 9 am -3 pm daily.”

The statement asked all registered voters to take advantage of the opportunity to check their details.

“All registered voters are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity to carefully check information they provided, such as their names, photographs, date of birth, polling units and other relevant registration details to make necessary claims and objections within this stipulated period as an accurate voter register is important for free and credible elections,” the REC said.

He further disclosed that PVCs from the first phase of the CVR exercise conducted from August 18, 2025 to December 10, 2025, would be available for collection during the exercise.

In Sokoto, the REC, Umar Garba, while briefing journalists on the commission’s preparations for the 2027 general elections, said the exercise was part of INEC’s activities ahead of the 2027 elections.

Garba, who was at the Nigeria Union of Journalists Press Centre, said the commission was committed to ensuring that eligible voters were given the opportunity to verify their registration details and collect their PVCs.

“The Independent National Electoral Commission will commence the display of the preliminary register of voters for claims and objections, as well as the distribution of Permanent Voter Cards from the 9th to the 15th of October 2026,” Garba said.

He said PVCs relating to lost or damaged cards, transfers, updates and registrations conducted during the second and third phases of the CVR were not yet ready for collection.

Garba said the commission would announce when the affected PVCs became available.

He added that after the exercise at the Registration Area level ended on October 15, distribution would continue at INEC offices in the 23 local government areas of the state.

“This will enable eligible voters who could not collect their cards at the Registration Area level to do so,” he said.

On security, Garba said INEC had continued to take the advice of security agencies into consideration throughout the voter registration process.

“Throughout the registration of voters held recently, the commission took the advice of security agencies very seriously. This contributed to a safe process without any casualties,” he said.

He assured eligible voters that INEC would work to ensure that PVCs were distributed across the state.

On internally displaced persons, Garba said the commission was engaging security agencies to establish the number of IDPs in Sokoto and determine how they could participate in the 2027 elections.

“The commission is always talking with security agencies to ascertain the number of IDPs in the state. We are working to ensure that they vote once they are in official and recognised camps,” he said.

The REC also said INEC would release the total number of registered voters in Sokoto State at the appropriate time.

Source: punchng.com

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