The National Orientation Agency (NOA) has alerted Nigerians, especially those living along the banks of the River Niger of imminent flooding in mid-2016.

A statement issued by Mr Fidel Agu, the Deputy Director, Press of NOA IN Abuja on Tuesday, stressed the need for them to relocate immediately.

According to the statement, the alert has become necessary following intelligence reports from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), and the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN-OCHA).

The statement said that the Niger River Basin traversing the Republics of Guinea, Mali, Niger and Nigeria would be flooded in mid-2016 due to forecasted heavy downpour.

The statement warned that many Nigerians would be among the one hundred million people to be affected along the flood path of the more than two million square kilometres Niger River Basin.

“Nigerians are therefore strongly advised to take serious pre-cautions, including relocation from the banks of the Niger River and minimising activities on the river to avoid being victims of the flood.”

The statement also urged traditional rulers and other leaders of flood prone communities along the Niger River flood to take necessary measures.

“Traditional rulers and leaders should mobilise their communities for urgent action to avoid loss of lives and property by the coming flood.”

NOA, however, assured Nigerians that all relevant government organs and other stakeholders had been alerted and measures were being put in place to ensure their safety.

The agency urged Nigerians to cooperate with government in its efforts toward mitigating the effects of the imminent flood. (NAN)