The Niger State Government has urged residents living along the banks of the River Niger and River Kaduna to move to safer areas following the release of water from major hydroelectric dams in the state.

The warning was issued on Thursday by the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) in a statement signed by its Director-General, Abdullahi Baba-Arah.

According to Baba-Arah, water is being discharged from the Kainji, Shiroro, Zungeru, and Jebba hydroelectric dams at a rate that could result in the overflow of rivers and flooding of surrounding communities.

“The Nigerian Hydrological Services has advised communities along the River Niger and Kaduna to relocate. The dams are releasing thousands of gallons of water per minute, which could lead to the overflow of these rivers,” the statement read.

“The state government hereby advises our communities to limit activities around river banks during this peak rainy season to avoid being flooded. People living in riverine areas should relocate to safer grounds already identified.”

Baba-Arah further cautioned residents to exercise care during the ongoing rainy season. “NiMet’s latest prediction indicated that the end of the rainy season will be accompanied by violent windstorms. As such, people should avoid standing under trees during rainfall and also avoid substandard structures,” he said.

The NSEMA Director-General also disclosed that Niger State is already experiencing the effects of flooding. He listed houses, farmlands, bridges, and access roads as being washed away in some local government areas located upstream and downstream of the four dams.

“The LGAs affected include Lavun, Magama, Rafi, Kontagora, Gbako, Mokwa, Lapai, Katcha, Agaie, Suleja, Shiroro, Mashegu, Agwara, Bida, Edati, Munya, Bosso, Chanchaga, Paikoro, and Wushishi. Loss of lives has also been recorded,” he added.

Baba-Arah stated that assessments of flood impacts are ongoing and promised that periodic updates would be provided. He appealed to stakeholders, traditional institutions, residents, and the media to assist in disseminating the safety advisory.

The warning follows a major flooding disaster in May 2025 in Mokwa Local Government Area, which claimed over 200 lives and displaced more than 500 residents. Niger State is home to three of Nigeria’s largest dams—Kainji, Shiroro, and Jebba—and has historically been among the states most affected during Nigeria’s annual flooding season. Releases from these dams frequently cause downstream flooding along the River Niger and River Kaduna.

In 2023, Lavun, Mokwa, and Lapai LGAs recorded extensive damage to farmlands and homes due to releases from the Shiroro and Jebba dams. Severe flooding in 2022, linked to dam releases and heavy rainfall, resulted in over 600 deaths nationwide and displaced more than 1.4 million people, with Niger State among the worst affected.