Residents of Sokoto, Kebbi, and Zamfara states have been advised to brace up for possible flooding, as heavy rainfall continues to threaten communities in the North-West.

Emergency agencies in the three states say they have activated response teams, stocked up relief materials, and stepped up community awareness campaigns to minimize disaster risks.

In Sokoto State, the Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) revealed that over 1,400 households in Kware Local Government have already been affected by floods. According to Mustapha Umar, SEMA’s director of relief and rehabilitation, the agency is working closely with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Red Cross, and security operatives to ensure quick response and support for victims.

In Zamfara State, Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs, Musa Kainuwa, stressed that waterways are being cleared to reduce flood risks. He urged residents to stop dumping refuse in drainage and advised riverine communities to relocate to safer areas. The Zamfara Emergency Management Agency (ZEMA) is also carrying out sensitization campaigns, recalling how floods destroyed more than 4,000 houses in Gummi and Talata Mafara local government areas last year.

In Kebbi State, Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs, Muhammad Hamidu-Jarkuka, said proactive steps have been taken, including community enlightenment and logistics support. He added that the state has made budgetary allocations to cushion the impact on victims if flooding occurs.

NEMA’s Sokoto field office confirmed it has conducted a flood-response simulation exercise across the three states to improve coordination and readiness.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the Nigerian Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) have listed Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara, Niger, and Kwara among the states most at risk of heavy flooding in 2025.

With memories of last year’s devastating floods still fresh, authorities are calling on residents—especially those in flood-prone areas—to stay alert, cooperate with safety directives, and move early to avoid being caught in the crisis.