FG issues fresh warning as 5 died, others injured in Adamawa flood

At least five people have been confirmed dead and more than 50 injured following a devastating flood that hit several communities in Yola North and Yola South Local Government Areas of Adamawa State after hours of relentless rainfall.

The downpour, which began before dawn and lasted into Sunday morning, triggered flash floods that submerged homes, destroyed farmlands, and washed away roads—paralyzing movement and displacing hundreds of residents.

Worst-hit areas include Yola Bye Pass, Sabon Pegi, Yolde Pate, Modire, and Shagari Low Cost, where entire communities were submerged, forcing many residents to flee with little or no belongings. Electricity supply has been cut off in the most affected zones, and stagnant water has raised fears of an outbreak of waterborne diseases.

“We lost everything. The water rushed in so suddenly that we had no time to rescue our things,” a resident of Yola Bye Pass lamented.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), 55 people sustained various degrees of injury, while the police confirmed that two bodies have been recovered and deposited at the Modibbo Adama University Teaching Hospital.

In response, the Adamawa State Police Command has deployed trained marine officers and engine boats to aid in rescue operations. Police spokesperson, Suleiman Yahaya Nguroje, said the command, in collaboration with the Nigerian Army’s 23 Brigade, has been mobilized to support distressed communities.

The Adamawa State Government has also swung into action, distributing relief materials to displaced residents. Deputy Governor Kaleptapwa Farauta, during a visit to affected areas, announced the establishment of two temporary camps at Namtari and Aliyu Mustapha College, which will soon be merged for better coordination and security.

“We’re providing food, medication, and medical care at the hospital free of charge for victims,” she said.

Federal Government’s Red Alert

The flood disaster comes just days after the Federal Government issued a red alert warning of imminent flooding in 11 states, including Adamawa, Borno, Kano, and Akwa Ibom.

The National Flood Early Warning Centre, under the Ministry of Environment, flagged the risk, echoing concerns earlier raised in the 2025 Annual Flood Outlook presented by the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev.

High-risk states identified include Abia, Bayelsa, Benue, Cross River, Delta, Gombe, Jigawa, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Nasarawa, Ogun, Ondo, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe, Zamfara, and the FCT, among others.

Between March and June 2025, over 250 lives were lost and more than 8,000 people displaced due to flooding, windstorms, and rainstorms across several states. The deadliest incident occurred in Mokwa, Niger State, on June 11, when over 200 people died after a massive flood submerged much of the town.