General
Flooding: NIHSA Puts Lagos, Kogi, Others on Red Alert
By Adedapo Adesanya
All states in the country are on red alert to face the impact of flooding, a new forecast from the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) shows.
In the 2023 Annual Flood Outlook (AFO) themed Flood Prediction and its Impact, the Minister of Water Resources, Mr Suleiman Adamu, at the Public Presentation of the 2023 Annual Flood Outlook, said that the impact on the Socio-Economic Livelihood of Nigerians predicted that 178 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in 32 States of the federation and the FCT fall within the Highly Probable Flood Risk Areas.
These states are Adamawa, Abia, Akwa- Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Cross- River, Delta, Ebonyi, Ekiti, Edo.
Others are Gombe, Imo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe, as well as Zamfara and the FCT.
The minister also said 224 LGAs in 35 States of the Federation, including FCT, fall within the moderately probable flood Risks Areas. The remaining 372 LGAs fall within the probable Flood Risks Areas.
The 2023 Annual Flood Outlook emphasized the categories of flood anticipated as the Minister revealed that the Highly Probable Flood Risks Areas is expected between the month of April and November.
In addition, the level of floods in this category is expected to be high in terms of impact on the population, agriculture, livelihood, livestock and infrastructure, and the environment.
Part of 66 LGAs across the country falls within the Highly Probable Risks Areas in the months of April, May, and June, while part of 148 LGAs in the months of October and November 2023.
The Minister further explained that a moderate impact level of floods is expected in Parts of 41 LGAs within the months of April, May, and June, while parts of 199 LGAs fall within the month of July, August, and September, and parts of 73 LGA’s within the months of October and November 2023.
He hinted that Bayelsa, Cross-River, Delta, Edo, Lagos, Ogun, Rivers, and Ondo would be experiencing Coastal flooding due to a rise in sea level and tidal surge, which would impact fishing, wildlife habitation, and river navigation.
Meanwhile, cities like Lagos, Kaduna, Suleija, Gombe, Yola, Makurdi, Abuja, Lafia, Asaba, Port- Harcourt, Yenagoa, Ibadan, Benin-City, Birnin- Kebbi, Lokoja, Kano, Nsukka, Sokoto, Ado- Ekiti, Owerri, Calabar, Maiduguri, Osogbo, Abakaliki, and Awka will be experiencing flash and urban flooding.
Mr Adamu noted that the Federal Government is committed to ensuring that necessary measures are taken to mitigate the impacts of natural disasters taking into cognizance the devastating consequences of the 2022 floods.
In addition, he emphasized the need for accurate flood forecasting in protecting the lives and property of citizens, noting that NIHSA has made tremendous progress in improving flood forecasting capabilities and confidence and that the predictions presented will help to better prepare for response to potential flood events as well as serve as a veritable tool for strategic planning to avert loss of lives and property through adequate coordinated and effective flood early warning and sensitization awareness campaigns, improved flood mitigation strategies and preparedness for risk reduction by all stakeholders.
On her part, the Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Water Resources, Mrs Esther Didi Walson-Jack, represented by the Director of River Basin Operations, Mr Johnson Ochigbo, reiterated the overall objective of the meeting, stating that it is to sensitize the nation, particularly water users, planners, decision and policymakers, farmers, stakeholders and the general public on the need to embark on preventive measures, necessary to improve the safety of lives and reduce potential damages to property and infrastructures that have been witnessed from the recent flood disasters, particularly the 2022 flood disaster.
She urged participants to translate the 2023 forecasts into concrete actions that will make the nation’s communities flood resilient, noting that the yearly message of AFO to the general public will decline the negative impact of flood, thereby promoting a better understanding of flood risks and ensuring that appropriate mitigation measures are deployed.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Lagos State Police Command is investigating the delivery of a parcel containing live ammunition delivered to the managing director of First Bank Nigeria, Mr Oluwasegun Alebiosu.
The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State command, Mr Tijani Fatai, confirmed the incident on Tuesday during a press briefing at the command headquarters.
He said Mr Alebiosu reported the case on May 7, noting that two rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition were sent to him through a parcel.
“The managing director reported the matter to the police after a package containing two rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition was delivered on his behalf by his security guard at his residence. The case is still under investigation, and we are treating it with the seriousness it deserves,” he said.
According to him, the parcel was first received by the bank chief’s security guard, who then handed it over to him.
The police commissioner said that operatives have launched an investigation, including forensic analysis and intelligence work, to identify the perpetrators and the circumstances of the incident.
He added that no suspect linked to the crime has been brought into custody.
“Presently, no suspect is in custody. Even though the MD has mentioned some people whom he suspected of being the brains behind it, that is his suspicion, anyway. We are still working on it,” he said.
Mr Fatai noted that detectives are reviewing information provided by the complainant, including details of individuals who may have relevant knowledge of the incident.
He assured the public that the command would keep them informed as the investigations go on, adding that the public should allow the police to carry out their duties.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Governor of Oyo State, Mr Seyi Makinde, has approved the declaration of a 16-hour curfew in 10 local government areas of the state, as part of measures targeted at tackling insecurity.
According to a memo issued by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Musibau Babatunde, the curfew takes effect from Wednesday, June 24, 2026.
The movement restriction, between 4 pm and 8 am, lasts for 48 hours in the first instance and affects local government areas bordering the Old Oyo National Park.
The affected local councils are Oriire local government (Headquarters: Ikoyi-Ile), Orelope (Headquarters: Igboho), Irepo (Headquarters: Kisi), Saki West (Headquarters: Saki), Saki East (Hq Ago-Amodu), Atisbo (Headquarters: Tede / Ago-Are), Itesiwaju (Headquarters: Otu), Iseyin (Headquarters: Iseyin), Olorunsogo (Headquarters: Igbeti), and Atiba (Headquarters: Offa-Meta, Oyo).
The development followed a series of protests that rocked the state over the abduction of children and teachers in the Orire Local Government Area in May.
The National Coordinator of the movement, Mr Juwon Sanyaolu, who spoke during the latest protest held on Monday, said the demonstration was part of ongoing efforts by the group to push for the freedom of the victims.
According to him, the protest “is a continuation of actions the organisation has embarked upon since the abduction of children and teachers” in the Orire Local Government Area of Oyo State in May.”
“We will continue to protest for the release of all abducted victims until they are free. We believe that government officials are in the comfort of their rooms and offices while innocent 46 students and their teachers are languishing in the kidnappers’ den.
“We are demanding freedom for all captives in the North, South, West, and East of Nigeria,” Mr Sanyaolu said.
He also criticised political leaders for focusing on preparations for the 2027 elections while insecurity continues to threaten the lives of Nigerians.
“We will not be sitting until 2027. By that time, we won’t even know how many will be alive.
“So that is why we are at the heart of Ibadan in Oyo State, where the abduction took place. The state and federal governments must act, or they will continue to witness mass action,” he added.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Department of State Services (DSS) has closed its case against former Kaduna State Governor, Mr Nasir El-Rufai, in the ongoing alleged wiretapping trial before the Federal High Court in Abuja.
At the resumed sitting on Tuesday, prosecuting counsel, Mr Oluwole Aladedoye, informed the court that the prosecution would not be calling further witnesses in the matter, prompting the formal closure of the DSS case.
Following the development, defence counsel, Mr Paul Erokoro, told the court that the defence intends to file a no-case submission, arguing that the prosecution has failed to establish sufficient evidence against the former governor.
The defence subsequently sought two weeks to file the application, while the prosecution requested two weeks to respond.
The defence also applied for a variation of some of the bail conditions earlier granted to El-Rufai, describing them as stringent and difficult to meet.
They argued that the bail terms were too stringent, particularly the requirements for level 17 civil servants with properties in Maitama or Asokoro, as well as verification and attestation letters from the Kaduna state traditional council.
However, the prosecution opposed the request, insisting that qualified public officers who meet the conditions exist and urging the court to refuse the application.
Delivering the ruling, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik declined the request to vary the bail conditions, ruling that there are civil servants who own properties at the said location.
The court, however, adjourned to September 22 for the filing of the no-case submission and continuation of the trial.
In February, the federal government filed a three-count charge against the former governor of Kaduna State over an alleged interception of communications belonging to Nigeria’s National Security Adviser (NSA), Mr Nuhu Ribadu.
In a television interview, he confessed that he and other unnamed individuals listened to conversations from Mr Ribadu’s phone after it was tapped by a third party. While acknowledging that such interception is technically unlawful, he argued that illegal surveillance was not unusual.
However, the FG, through the secret police, filed charges against Mr El-Rufai at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
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