"Flood Alert: Kebbi Residents Urged to Take Precautions"

By Umar Faruk

Birnin Kebbi, Kebbi State, Nigeria - August 25, 2025(Series News Online)

The threat of flooding is looming large over Kebbi State, with residents in riverine communities living in fear of another devastating flood season. In response, the Special Adviser on Public Enlightenment and Orientation to the Governor, Ibrahim Abubakar Jombali, has issued a stern warning to residents in flood-prone areas to take necessary precautions and relocate to safer grounds if need be.

The warning comes on the heels of the ongoing rainy season, which has seen torrential downpours battering the state, causing concerns about the potential for widespread flooding. According to Jombali, the situation is precarious, and residents must be vigilant and take proactive measures to ensure their safety.

"Take precautions, and if necessary, move to safer ground," Jombali advised. "This is not a mere advisory – it is a survival manual."

The government is taking steps to mitigate the impact of the floods, including establishing flood assessment committees and reactivating proactive measures through the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA). Palliatives have also been set aside to cushion the effects of any potential displacement.

However, Jombali emphasized that individual vigilance is crucial in preventing loss of life and property. "Communities must heed the warnings, not dismiss them as routine seasonal chatter," he said.

The role of sensitization is critical in this regard, and Jombali's office, in collaboration with the National Orientation Agency, is working to carry the message to the grassroots. "Enlightenment campaigns must not be urban-centered or lost in bureaucratic press releases; they must penetrate fishing settlements, farming hamlets, and riverside villages where the risk is greatest," Jombali stressed.

As the clouds gather, Kebbi State stands at a crossroads, and whether it emerges with minimal loss or with yet another humanitarian crisis will depend on the government's foresight and the people's willingness to act before it is too late. In matters of flood, hesitation is not caution – it is risk.