News

States on high alert as Adamawa flood death toll rises

Published

3 months 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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News

UK Charity Commission freezes over 100 bank accounts linked to MFM

Published

8 hours ago

October 22, 2025

Oluwagbenga Olaoye

On Tuesday, the UK’s Charity Commission announced it had frozen the assets of Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries International (MFM), a Nigerian-founded church.

On its website, the UK government concluded that its trustees failed to manage the organisation’s finances properly across its UK branches.

The UK Charity Commission is a non-ministerial department that registers and regulates charities in England and Wales, to ensure that the public can confidently support charities.

MFM, founded by Nigerian cleric Daniel Olukoya, is one of Nigeria’s most influential Pentecostal churches. It has a strong global presence, particularly in the United Kingdom, where many Nigerian diaspora communities worship.

MFM is not the first Nigerian-founded church to face scrutiny in the UK. In recent years, other Nigerian-origin churches, including SPAC Nation in December 2024 and Christ Embassy in November 2019, have been investigated regarding governance and financial accountability concerns.

The incident raises broader questions about how rapidly expanding churches adapt their internal systems when moving into regulated environments like the UK, where religious organisations registered as charities must meet strict financial reporting standards.

The case has, therefore, sparked wider conversations about financial transparency and governance among fast-growing African churches operating overseas.

How the investigation began

On 27 March 2018, the Charity Commission opened a statutory inquiry into MFM under Section 46 of the UK’s Charities Act 2011. Concerns have been raised regarding the possible misappropriation of charity funds and weak internal financial controls.

The Commission discovered that the church had expanded rapidly in the UK, growing from a few branches to more than 90 locations nationwide, without developing a solid financial governance structure to match its growth.

According to the final report, the Commission found that trustees did not properly oversee more than 100 separate bank accounts operated by different church branches. These accounts were opened and managed autonomously, often without informing central leadership or providing timely income reports.

Commission’s report

The commission reported that the church’s branches operated independently without central approval and that Major financial decisions, such as property purchases and lease agreements, were made without trustee authorisation.

Additionally, some branches used properties without securing planning permissions, leading to costly legal actions. It highlighted that Poor employment contract management resulted in financial settlements for employment disputes, and the lack of a unified monetary system created serious risks to charitable funds.

As a result, the regulator concluded that donor money was at risk due to weak financial oversight and poor governance.

Interim Manager Appointed to Restore Control

On 1 August 2019, following serious concerns about the trustees’ ability to manage the charity effectively, the Commission appointed an interim manager under Section 76(3)(g) of the Charities Act. The interim manager worked alongside the trustees to implement critical financial controls.

This oversight continued until 13 September 2024, when the interim manager was discharged after making progress.

Following the conclusion of the investigation, the Charity Commission announced that it had frozen the charity’s assets to prevent further financial risk while strengthening accountability structures.

Amy Spiller, Head of Investigations at the Charity Commission, said:

“The rapid growth of a charity comes with correspondingly larger potential risks, as our inquiry clearly shows. In this case, the trustees’ fundamental failure to maintain financial controls meant donor funds were at serious risk across their entire network.”

She added that the trustees are better positioned to ensure financial responsibility and compliance following regulatory intervention.

Regulatory Action

Upon completing its review, the Commission issued a regulatory action plan that required MFM to strengthen its governance policies and improve financial transparency. The Commission has confirmed that trustees have complied with the action plan, and the charity is now expected to operate under stricter financial controls going forward.

When this report was filed, neither MFM International nor its founder, Daniel Olukoya, had issued a public statement in response to the Charity Commission’s findings.

Collins Edomaruse, the media aide to Mr Olukoya, did not respond to calls or text messages.

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News

MDAs under fire as FG probes TSA violations

Published

11 hours ago

October 22, 2025

Newsbreak365_Admin

The Federal Government, through the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation, has ordered all Ministries, Departments and Agencies to submit their statements of accounts in commercial banks.

The government said the move was part of its plans to maintain financial discipline.

This was disclosed in a memo signed by the Accountant-General of the Federation, Shamseldeen Ogunjimi, which was obtained by our correspondent on Tuesday.

Ogunjimi in the memo expressed grievance over the continuous usage of commercial banks by MDAs despite an earlier directive ordering MDAs to close such accounts and focus on the use of the Treasury Single Account domiciled in the Central Bank.

Recall that the government in February mandated MDAs to stop the use of commercial banks, as it opposes the framework of the TSA.

While reiterating the Federal Government’s commitment to the Treasury Single Account policy, the Accountant-General of the Federation urged the Federal Pay Officers to monitor and ensure that Ministries, Departments, and Agencies in the States do not operate any account with the commercial banks or circumvent any provision of the TSA policy,” the statement by the OSGF said in February.

Reacting to the new memo, Ogunniyi said, “It has been observed with dismay that funds belonging to the Federal Government are still domiciled in several accounts held with commercial banks, contrary to Federal Government Circulars and the operational framework of the Treasury Single Account, which mandates the consolidation of all Federal Government revenues and receipts into the TSA domiciled with the Central Bank of Nigeria.

“In view of the above and following the Honourable Minister of Finance directive, all Directors/Heads of Finance and Accounts in Federal Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies and Federal Government-owned Enterprises are immediately required to submit Statements of all Bank Accounts (active, dormant and closed) maintained in all commercial banks over the last six (6) months, clearly indicating account names, account numbers, bank branches and current balances.”

“This directive takes immediate effect and must be treated with the utmost urgency, as it is part of the ongoing efforts to strengthen fiscal discipline and uphold the integrity of the Treasury Single Account Framework.”

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News

Kanu to defend self, lists Danjuma, Wike, Sanwo-Olu as witnesses

Published

11 hours ago

October 22, 2025

Newsbreak365_Admin

The detained leader of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, made a dramatic turn on Tuesday by informing the Federal High Court in Abuja that he was ready to open his defence.

This came just hours after Omoyele Sowore, the 2023 presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, led protests in parts of Abuja demanding Kanu’s release.

Kanu had, last Thursday, filed a preliminary objection challenging the court’s jurisdiction to continue his trial.

The objection came on the same day a team of medical experts appointed by the court declared him medically fit to stand trial, Channels reports.

In a fresh motion personally filed on Tuesday, October 21, Kanu told the court that he was prepared to begin his defence “pursuant to the order of this honourable court made on the 16th day of October 2015, directing the defendant to commence his defence on the 24th day of October 2025.”

He disclosed plans to call 23 witnesses divided into two categories, “ordinary but material witnesses” and “vital and compellable witnesses”, the latter to be summoned under Section 232 of the Evidence Act, 2011.

The motion, which Kanu personally signed, suggested that he may have disengaged his legal team, led by Senior Advocate of Nigeria Kanu Agabi.

He also requested 90 days to conclude his defence due to the number of witnesses he intends to call.

Kanu stated that he would testify on his own behalf, “providing a sworn account of the facts, denying the allegations, and explaining the political context of his statements and actions.”

Among those listed as “compellable witnesses” were former Minister of Defence, Gen. Theophilus Danjuma (retd); former Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Tukur Buratai (retd); Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; and Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma.

Others include the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike; Minister of Works, Dave Umahi; and former Abia State governor, Okezie Ikpeazu.

Kanu also listed former Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN); former Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Ahmed Rufai Abubakar; and Director-General of the Department of State Services, Yusuf Magaji Bichi, among others whose identities he withheld.

Kanu pledged to submit sworn statements from all voluntary witnesses and to notify the prosecution within a reasonable time.

He assured the court that “no precious time of the honourable court would be delayed,” adding that “justice must not only be done but be manifestly seen to have been done.”

Meanwhile, on the same day Kanu filed his motion, a magistrate court in Abuja ordered the remand of his special counsel, Aloy Ejimakor, and 12 others arrested during protests demanding his release.

The police charged the 13 defendants with criminal conspiracy, disobedience of a lawful order, inciting disturbance, and disturbance of public peace — offences contrary to sections 152, 114, and 113 of the Penal Code Law.

Those named in the first two information reports include Ejimakor, Kanu’s brother Emmanuel, Joshua Emmanuel, Wilson Anyalewechi, Okere Kingdom Nnamdi, Clinton Chimeneze, Gabriel Joshua, Isiaka Husseini, Onyekachi Ferdinand, Amadi Prince, Edison Ojisom, Godwill Obioma, and Chima Onuchukwu.

The magistrate, after briefly standing down the case, ordered their remand at Kuje Correctional Centre and adjourned the matter till October 24 for arraignment.

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