The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has called on the Benue State Government to intensify preparations against flooding as heavy rainfall continues, urging authorities to strengthen early warning systems, evacuation plans and coordinated emergency response.
The Director-General of NEMA, Mrs Zubaida Umar, gave the advice during a full-scale flood response simulation exercise in Makurdi, where emergency management agencies and other stakeholders assessed their readiness to respond to possible flood disasters.
Umar, represented by NEMA’s Director of Search and Rescue, Air Commodore Usman Bature, said Benue’s geographical features make sustained preparedness essential, particularly because of its extensive river systems, floodplains, seasonal rainfall and settlements located along the River Benue and its tributaries.
Early Warning, Timely Evacuation
The NEMA boss stressed that the 2026 flood outlook requires authorities and communities to move beyond warnings and translate available information into practical action.
She called for effective dissemination of early warnings, coordinated emergency operations and timely evacuation of residents living in vulnerable communities.
According to her, the simulation was designed to test how quickly authorities could move from receiving an early warning to taking action at the community, local government, state and federal levels.
She explained that the emergency response system was structured to begin as close as possible to affected communities before additional resources are mobilised from local, state and federal authorities as the situation escalates.
Flood Risks Remain a Concern
The latest preparedness exercise comes against the backdrop of continuing flood concerns across parts of Nigeria.
Earlier flood warnings had identified several Benue communities as vulnerable, including Agatu, Buruku, Guma, Igumale, Logo and Makurdi, which were classified as critical-risk areas under a flood prediction issued by the National Flood Early Warning Systems Centre.
Other communities were also identified as high-risk, with authorities advised to monitor watercourses, clear drainage channels, verify evacuation routes and avoid activities within floodplains, riverbanks and low-lying drainage corridors.
Alia Reaffirms State Support
Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, represented by his deputy, Sam Ode, reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to working with NEMA and other stakeholders to improve disaster preparedness and emergency response.
The governor said the simulation provided an opportunity to test existing systems, identify operational gaps and strengthen coordination, particularly in search, rescue and evacuation operations.
He also expressed optimism that lessons from the exercise would improve the state’s ability to respond quickly should flooding occur.
Agencies Test Emergency Response
The simulation, code-named “Uwar Uma,” meaning “Saving Lives” in Tiv, involved NEMA, the Benue State Emergency Management Agency, security agencies, fire services, the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, the National Inland Waterways Authority, the Federal Road Safety Corps, the Nigerian Red Cross Society and other stakeholders.
Development partners, including the United Nations Development Programme, UNICEF, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and the World Bank, also supported the exercise.
The programme featured practical search-and-rescue, water rescue and evacuation operations designed to assess how effectively agencies could work together during a flood emergency.
Focus on Saving Lives and Livelihoods
NEMA said the exercise followed stakeholder training and community engagement aimed at clarifying the roles of emergency agencies, improving communication and strengthening the capacity of communities to respond to flood warnings.
The agency stressed that preparedness must remain proactive, with authorities ensuring that communities understand evacuation procedures and that emergency responders are ready to act before a crisis escalates.
NEMA also assured the Benue Government and other stakeholders of continued support towards reducing flood vulnerabilities, strengthening emergency response capacity and protecting lives and livelihoods across the state.
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