No fewer than 220 people have been killed and over 8,000 displaced following a series of windstorm, rainstorm and flooding across Sokoto, Kaduna, Taraba, Cross River, Ekiti, Ogun, Niger and Imo states between March and June 2025.

An analysis of reports by Daily Trust, as compiled by Miriam Nguemo Terna, shows that more than 2500 homes were destroyed, while over 60 people sustained varying degrees of injuries as these disasters hit these states.

In Sokoto State, five persons, including two children aged 18 months and three years, died in 11 affected communities in Gwadabawa and Kware LGAs on June 18. The storm destroyed 1,400 homes, injured 29 people, and displaced over 7,800 residents. Government schools and health facilities were also affected.

Daily Trust report of 22 June revealed that both the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and its sister agency in Sokoto State confirmed the development to our reporter.

The report attributed NEMA, confirming that over 11 communities were affected by the windstorm. The communities affected in Gwadabawa include Gidan-kaya, Kililawa, Chimola, Telhe, and Gigane, while in Kware Marabawa, Malikawa, Talhi, Bankanu, Karma, and Kware metropolis were affected.

It added that the storm, which blew off rooftops, fell walls, and collapsed houses, led to the death of 5 persons and 29 persons sustained different degrees of injuries.

According to the assessment made by the Sokoto State Emergency Management Agency, as reported by Daily Trust, the storm af’ected over 1,400 homes and vital public infrastructure, including schools and other government buildings.

In Gwadabawa LGA alone, the disaster led to the destruction of 878 houses, affecting 1,306 households and displacing an estimated 7,836 individuals. While in Kware LGA, 523 houses were reported destroyed, affecting 1,403 households and injuring 18 persons. Several public structures, including parts of the Government Secondary School, Kware, suffered significant damage to fences and classrooms.

Similarly, a report by Daily Trust shows that in Taraba, a windstorm in Garba-Chede, Bali LGA, killed six people and injured 30 others. Residential homes, mosques, schools, and shops were torn apart, while foodstuffs and livelihood assets worth millions were destroyed.

Also, according to the IOM flash report of May, in Kaduna State, a windstorm on May 25 swept through Angwan Gobarawa in Kajuru LGA, killing two people and damaging 38 shelters. The IOM report reveals that a total of 228 residents across 38 households were affected.

News Agency of Nigeria, in a report, said over 50 houses in Cross River State were affected as a storm hit Njegbeje Village, Ogoja LGA. Although no fatalities were recorded, the local government pegged the damage at billions of naira.

Also, in another disaster in Ekiti, Daily Trust gathered from NEMA website following reports from Ekiti SEMA on a severe rainstorm that caused extensive damage in Ijero, Moba, Ado, and Ekiti East local government areas of Ekiti State. The Ekiti Operations Office, in collaboration with Ekiti SEMA, deployed a team to assess the level of destruction. The team included NEMA, led by ACSARO Abogunrin Adesina, Ekiti SEMA, led by Alhaji Ademola Bello, the Red Cross and representatives from affected communities.

The disaster occurred during heavy rainfall between Wednesday, 5th March 2025, and Thursday, 6th March 2025. The assessment revealed that in Ijero Local Government, 136 buildings were partially damaged, and 64 rooftops were completely blown off, affecting 497 households. Moba Local Government recorded 41 partially destroyed rooftops and 16 completely destroyed, with 157 households impacted. In Ekiti East, 69 buildings were partially damaged, and 24 rooftops were completely destroyed, affecting 263 households. Ado Local Government experienced 87 partially destroyed houses and 59 with rooftops completely blown off.

In total, the reports revealed that 496 buildings and 1,227 households were affected by the rain and windstorm disaster. Several public infrastructures, including electric poles, places of worship, and schools, were also severely damaged. Despite the scale of destruction, no casualties were recorded.

Similarly, a 14-year-old boy, Timothy Amosun, in Junior Secondary School 3, died after a rainstorm destroyed Mayigi Community Comprehensive High School in Ilase, Ogun State, as reported by Premium Times.

The Ogun government confirmed the incident through a statement by Lekan Adeniran, Chief Press Secretary to Gov. Dapo Abiodun. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that five other pupils, two teachers, a food vendor, and her seven-month-old child sustained injuries during the tragic incident.

The Nation also reported that a thunderstorm killed three persons and injured four others in Obidi, Agwa, Oguta Local Government Area of Imo State.

The Incident sent shockwaves through the community, with many residents attributing the thunderstorm to a mysterious or supernatural cause, given its unusual occurrence without heavy rainfall.

The worst-hit was Mokwa town in Mokwa Local Government Area of Niger State, where Daily Trust reported that over 200 people were confirmed dead, and more than 700 reported missing following a devastating flood incident on June 11.

The disaster, whichh submerged vast parts of the town, has been described by officials as one of the deadliest flood-related tragedies in recent history.

NHSA’s warning

The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NHSA) revealed that between July and September 2025, no fewer than 144 Local Government Areas (LGAs) and 549 communities are at high risk of flooding, raising concerns over preparedness and emergency response capabilities.

The data by the NHSA shows that Niger State leads the list of most vulnerable areas, with 17 LGAs and 105 high-risk communities marked out for possible severe flooding.

Similarly, the data also shows that Delta State follows with 64 communities within 15 LGAs, while Bayelsa State has 99 communities in 6 LGAs. Other critically exposed states revealed by the data include Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Taraba, Ebonyi, Kebbi, and Yobe states. In addition to the high-risk zones, the data also captured the moderate flood risk category covering 1,458 communities in 271 LGAs.

Some communities in Bayelsa and Delta states also fall within this category, topping the list in this category. In Bayelsa, 200 communities in 9 LGAs are considered by NHSA to be under moderate risk, while 218 communities in 21 LGAs in Delta State.

The data also shows 83 communities in 13 LGAs in Lagos State are under moderate flood risk. NHSA attributes this in part to drainage system failures and uncontrolled urban sprawl. Other heavily exposed states in this category include Rivers (13 LGAs, 81 communities), Kogi (9 LGAs, 79 communities), and Kebbi (16 LGAs, 150 communities).

Minister’s earlier calls on states, LGAs, stakeholders for urgent action

The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Terlumun Utsev, in a press statement by Director Information and Public Relations, Mrs. Funmi Imuetinyan on June 3, 2025 said state governments, local government authorities, communities, stakeholders, government agencies, civil society groups and private sector actors should urgently implement flood preparedness measures and embark on infrastructure improvements to mitigate flood-related challenges across the country.

Prof. Utsev emphasised that climate-induced weather events are increasing in frequency and severity, posing serious flood risks across Nigeria.

He stated that this flood event had already been accurately forecasted in the 2025 Annual Flood Outlook (AFO), released on April 10, 2025, by the ministry in collaboration with its agency, the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA). The report had clearly identified Mokwa LGA as one of 19 high-risk flood zones in Niger State, warning of potential flooding in 1,249 communities across 176 LGAs nationwide.

According to the AFO, 33 states and the Federal Capital Territory are categorised as high-risk, while others fall under moderate-risk categories. Among the most vulnerable states are Lagos, Bayelsa, Anambra, Delta, Kogi, Rivers, and Niger among others.

Shift focus to prevention — RIMSON tells FG

The Risk Managers Society of Nigeria (RIMSON) has called for sweeping reforms in Nigeria’s disaster management approach, warning that the current reactive posture continues to expose millions to avoidable tragedies.

In a statement signed by its President and Chairman of the Governing Board, Dr. Abbas G. Idriss, RIMSON stressed the urgent need for national orientation in disaster prevention, readiness, and mitigation both at the local and national levels.

Dr. Idriss emphasised in the statement that authorities must also evaluate existing early warning systems, their effectiveness, evacuation plans, and structural remedies, especially the review of construction designs for flood-prone areas.

“There is an urgent need to review town planning and strictly enforce violations,” Dr. Idriss said, noting that lax planning practices continue to worsen the impact of seasonal flooding.

“There is an urgent need to ensure disaster management agencies, both at the national, state, and local governments, are manned by qualified risk management professionals,” he added, noting that existing personnel must also be upskilled and equipped for greater efficiency.

Dr. Idriss also in the statement urged the government to “Incorporate disaster awareness and education into the national educational curriculum and the National Youth Service Corps scheme”.

“There is urgent need to review budgetary allocations towards disaster prevention rather than the existing allocations to relief for survivors,” Dr. Idriss added, noting that the Legislative arm of government and civil society organisations must closely monitor how disaster funds are deployed.

“We are confident that the implementation of these recommendations, among others, will further enhance existing disaster management efforts and proactively reduce the avoidable, tragic human and economic losses,” he said. (Daily Trust)