Amnesty International Nigeria has sounded the alarm over the deadly impact of the ongoing rainy season, as devastating floods in Niger State have claimed the lives of at least 110 people. The organization is calling on the Nigerian authorities—both at the federal and state levels—to urgently implement concrete measures to prepare for and mitigate the threat of flash flooding and prevent further tragic loss of life.
According to Amnesty, the Nigerian government must prioritize mapping out flood-prone areas across the country and issuing early warning systems to help communities prepare. This proactive approach, it says, is crucial to avoiding a repeat of past disasters that have cost hundreds of lives and left many more displaced.
The organization also stressed the need for state governments in high-risk areas to take immediate action by ensuring that communities frequently affected by flooding have access to vital information on disaster preparedness. This includes public education campaigns, the development of comprehensive emergency response plans, and the clear communication of evacuation routes.
“Emergency response plans must be accessible and people-centered,” Amnesty said, emphasizing the importance of providing adequately trained search and rescue teams to assist those in danger. The group highlighted that too often, local communities are left without the tools or knowledge to respond to flooding, which leads to avoidable deaths and destruction.
With the rainy season just beginning, the human rights group underscored the urgency of a coordinated, well-resourced effort to protect vulnerable communities. It urged the federal and state governments to act swiftly to safeguard lives and livelihoods from the ongoing threat of severe flooding.
