Panic in Niger as Kainji, Jebba, Shiroro, Zungeru dams release water

2.10.2025
Niger State is bracing for a major disaster as four hydro-electric dams, Kainji, Jebba, Shiroro, and Zungeru have begun discharging excess water, sparking fears of catastrophic flooding across riverine communities.
The warning came from the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), following a notification from the dam operators and the Nigerian Hydrological Services Agency.
NSEMA’s Director General, Alhaji Abdullahi Baba Arah, in a statement on Thursday, urged communities along Rivers Niger and Kaduna to move to higher ground immediately.
“The dams are releasing thousands of gallons of water per minute, and this could cause massive overflow. People must limit activities around riverbanks during this peak rainy season and relocate to safer grounds already identified,” Arah warned.
He added that NiMet’s latest forecast also predicts violent windstorms at the tail end of the rainy season, cautioning residents to avoid staying under trees during downpours and keep away from weak structures.
Already, parts of Niger State are reeling from the impact of the floods. Houses, farms, roads, and bridges have been washed away, with several local government areas — including Lavun, Magama, Rafi, Kontagora, Mokwa, Lapai, Katcha, Agaie, Suleja, Shiroro, Bida, and Bosso — badly affected.
NSEMA confirmed that lives have been lost in the disaster, though it did not disclose figures. Many families have also been displaced, while socio-economic activities in the affected communities have been paralysed.
“This is beyond normal flooding. If people ignore the warnings, the consequences will be tragic,” Arah said.