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Tag: NEMA

  • Sad! 58 rescued as casualties toll in Niger boat mishap hits 30

    Sad! 58 rescued as casualties toll in Niger boat mishap hits 30

    The death toll in the Niger boat accident has reached 30, with 58 persons rescued so far, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has said.

    NEMA in a statement on Thursday said rescue efforts are, however, still ongoing over the incident which happened on Tuesday in Gausawa community, Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State.

    “Witnesses at the scene of the incident revealed that about 90 persons were onboard the ill-fated vessel,” the agency said about the accident, which left several families grieving.

    “So far, 58 passengers have been rescued, while over 30 lives have been lost as one additional body was recovered this afternoon. Several other passengers remain unaccounted for, with search and rescue efforts still ongoing.”

    According to investigations, the most recent boat incident was “caused by overloading of the vessel, compounded by a collision with a tree stump along the water channel.”

    NIWA’s General Manager (Business Development), Olawale Adetola, lamented the fatalities recorded in the country in recent times due to boat accidents.

    “Well, let me first express the authorities’ condolences to the people of Niger about this recent boat accident. We are tired of hearing all these fatalities coming through boat accidents,” he said on Thursday’s edition of Channels Television’s The Morning Brief.

    “We are doing all we can as an authority to make sure that things like this don’t happen. We’ve done enlightenment and sensitisation of all boat operators to be safety conscious while using their boats on water.

    “We have distributed life jackets to protect lives in case of this kind of accident. But by and large, people don’t adhere to the safety regulations that we have put in place.”

  • NEMA clarifies roles of states, LGs in disaster response

    NEMA clarifies roles of states, LGs in disaster response

    The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has reiterated the need for coordinated disaster response across federal, state, and local government levels.

    Mr Eric Ebhodaghe, South-South Zonal Coordinator of NEMA, made the clarification in an interview with NAN in Port Harcourt on Friday.

    He expressed concerns over the operational framework for disaster management in the country, urging states and local governments to strengthen their emergency structures.

    According to him, NEMA serves as the federal coordinating body mandated to oversee disaster preparedness and response nationwide.

    Ebhodaghe explained that effective disaster management required active participation from State Emergency Management Agencies (SEMAs) and Local Government Emergency Management Committees (LGEMCs).

    “SEMA is expected to replicate NEMA’s functions at the state level, while LGEMCs are to mirror SEMA’s efforts within communities.

    “In essence, when NEMA introduces mitigation measures for a disaster, states are expected to implement them” he said.

    Ebhodaghe stressed that disaster response should begin at the local level, with LGEMCs serving as first responders, supported by SEMA at the state level, and NEMA stepping in when states were overwhelmed.

    According to him, it is unfortunate that some states do not understand the modus operandi of disaster management in Nigeria.

    “Some do not have properly established SEMAs and rely solely on NEMA for interventions,” he said.

    He added that disaster management was multi-sectoral and could not be left for NEMA alone, but noted that states could not effectively manage disasters through agencies that lacked legal backing.

    He further said that some states were neglecting their own responsibilities and yet expected NEMA to intervene at both state and local levels.

    Ebhodaghe, therefore, called on state governments to establish and empower SEMAs in line with statutory provisions, stressing that disaster management remains a joint effort.

  • 26 rescued, 25 missing in Sokoto Boat Mishap – NEMA

    26 rescued, 25 missing in Sokoto Boat Mishap – NEMA

    The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has confirmed the rescue of 26 persons in the boat mishap that occurred in Goronyo Local Government Area of Sokoto State, while search for the 25 missing passengers was still ongoing.

    The Head of NEMA’s Sokoto Operations Office, Mr Aliyu Kafindangi, disclosed this to newsmen on Monday while leading the search team.

    Kafindangi said that the incident occurred on Sunday, adding that the ill-fated boat was carrying 51 passengers, along with goods and motorcycles, when it capsized.

    He said that seven motorcycles were also retrieved from the water and that rescue efforts would continue as authorities race against time to locate the missing passengers.

    “The rescue operation is ongoing. We have also alerted neighbouring communities to assist in the search for more victims,” Kafindangi said.

    Also, the Area Manager of National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Mr  Muhammad Bala, said that the agency had impounded the boat involved in the incident.

    Bala urged boat and canoe operators to always adhere strictly to safety guidelines to prevent future tragedies.

    He attributed the cause of the mishap to wind and overloading, emphasising the need for stakeholders to intensify vigilance on canoe and boat operators business.

    “The safety of passengers must always be a priority.

    “Overloading and ignoring basic safety measures put lives at risk,” Bala said.

    NAN reports that officials of NEMA, NIWA, and SEMA and LG, community leaders (sarkin Ruwa of Kojiyo and Goronyo), as well as local divers were all involved in the operations.

  • SAD! Over 40 declared missing in Sokoto boat mishap – NEMA

    SAD! Over 40 declared missing in Sokoto boat mishap – NEMA

    Rescue workers are searching for more than 40 people after a boat accident in Sokoto State, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has said.

    NEMA said in a statement that the boat, which was carrying more than 50 passengers to a market, capsized on Sunday morning.

    “About 10 persons have been rescued, while more than 40 passengers remain missing,” NEMA added.

    Boat accidents are common on Nigeria’s poorly regulated waterways due to overcrowding and poor maintenance, particularly during the annual rainy season when rivers and lakes overflow.

    At least 16 farmers died in a similar accident in August 2024 when a wooden canoe carrying them across a river to their rice fields capsized in Sokoto state.

    In May, a boat accident claimed the lives of at least 27 people in the Gbajibo community in the Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State.

    The Kwara tragedy occurred barely seven months after a similar incident claimed the lives of 100 people in the area.

    It was learnt that the boat was carrying passengers returning from a market in Niger State when it capsized in the Gbajibo community.

    On July 29, six girls drowned after a boat taking them home from farm work capsized midstream in Jigawa State.

    Two days earlier, at least 13 people died in another boat accident in Niger State.

    The Director General of NEMA, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, said the agency activated its response immediately after receiving reports that a boat conveying over 50 passengers to Goronyo Market had capsized.

    See the full statement by NEMA below

    NEMA, SOO COORDINATE EFFORTS TO RESCUE VICTIMS OF BOAT MISHAP

    17th August, 2025

    The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Sokoto Operations Office (SOO), has deployed its response team to support ongoing rescue operations following a tragic boat mishap in Sokoto State today.

    The Director General of NEMA, Mrs. Zubaida Umar, activated the Agency’s response immediately after receiving reports that a boat conveying over 50 passengers to Goronyo Market had capsized.

    As at the time of this report, about 10 persons have been rescued, while more than 40 passengers remain missing.

    NEMA SOO, in collaboration with local authorities and emergency responders, is intensifying search and rescue operations to locate the missing persons.

    The Agency reassures the public of its commitment to saving lives, providing timely updates, and coordinating all necessary support for the affected families.

  • JUST IN: 6 die in Katsina building collapse

    JUST IN: 6 die in Katsina building collapse

    No fewer than six persons have died after a building collapsed during a heavy downpour in Dankama Local Government Area (LGA) of Katsina State.

    The incident occurred around 2 a.m. on Tuesday while the victims were asleep, claiming the lives of a mother and five of her children.

    The victims’ husband and father, Malam Muhammad Sani, confirmed the tragic incident to reporters in Katsina on Tuesday.

    He said three others were rushed to hospital with varying degrees of injury sustained during the collapse.

    Sani explained that he was away when it happened and was left in shock after hearing the news.

    “This affected about 10 people, but sadly six didn’t survive. Three are currently receiving treatment in hospital,” he told journalists.

    The deceased were identified as Mariya Sani, 45; Mujahid, 20; Zahariya, 18; Hauwa, 15; Amira; and Nura Sani, aged five.

    The tragedy has triggered widespread grief in the community. Many sympathisers have visited the family’s Dankama home to offer their condolences and support.

    Sani expressed his acceptance of the tragedy, saying, “I surrender to Allah’s will. May He grant them eternal rest.”

    Hajiya Binta Dangani, Executive Secretary of Katsina State Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), confirmed the incident to NAN.

    She said agency officials had been dispatched to condole the family and assess the damages for necessary follow-up.

  • SAD: 5 dead, 55 injured in Yola flood – NEMA

    The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has confirmed five dead with 55 others injured as a result of flooding in parts of Yola town in Adamawa.

    Mr Ladan Ayuba, the Head of Operations, NEMA office in Yola, said the 55 injured are receiving treatment at the Modibbo Adama Teaching Hospital in Yola.

    The Sunday early morning flooding recorded after heavy downpour in Yola and environs submerged houses in some wards of the state capital.

    Some of the wards affected where boats are being used to rescue people include Tashan Sani, Shagari phase II, Sabon pegi, Anguwan Tabo, Modire, Ummare, Yolde-Pate, Sanda Fadama II and Ibnu Abbas.

    Personnel of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Red Cross, and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence (NSCDC) are collaborating with NEMA in an ongoing rescue mission.

    Ali Adam, a resident of Yolde-Pate appreciated the effort of the officials for coming to their aid.

    Ali said they have never experienced such a situation in the area.
    He also appealed to the state government to come to their aid and take action against a company he claimed was mining in the area.

    According to him, the source of the water was not only because of the rain but because of a dam constructed by the company.

    Yakubu Musa, a resident of Modire, urged the state government to upgrade a major culvert in the area into a bridge to enable it to accommodate large flow of water.

    “There’s also the need to open some water ways blocked by some people engaged in rice farming in the area”, Musa said.

    Meanwhile, many displaced persons have started taking refuge in emergency camps and primary schools.

  • Scooping fuel from fallen tanker suicide mission – NEMA

    Scooping fuel from fallen tanker suicide mission – NEMA

    Ms Aisueni Mmandu, the Head, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Uyo Operation Office, has said that scooping fuel from a fallen tanker is ‘a suicide mission’.

    Mmandu made the statement at a public awareness programme on tanker accidents and fires in Ikom, Cross River on Monday.

    The Uyo operation office of NEMA covers both Akwa Ibom and Cross River.

    Mmandu cautioned members of the public on the need to stay away from fallen tankers with petroleum products, saying,” it can result in fire”.

    “When you see a fallen tanker with petroleum product, it is not the time for scooping fuel, fire can be ignited and people will be burnt to death.

    “In recent times, we have had tanker explosions in Niger, Jigawa, Delta, Enugu, Lagos and Cross River claiming hundreds of lives and property worth millions,” she said.

    The NEMA official said that although tanker accidents were preventable, they were mainly caused by reckless driving, overloading, poor vehicle maintenance, road infrastructure challenges and lack of public awareness.

    She urged government agencies, transport unions and community leaders to take proactive steps towards reducing tanker accidents and fires.

    “There is need to enforce safety regulations, exercise caution and report unsafe driving by drivers of tankers and articulated vehicles,” she said.

    Mr Etetim, Otom, the Public Enlightenment Officer, Federal Road Safety Commission, Ikom Unit, described the programme as commendable following the losses associated with tanker accidents.

    He urged tanker drivers to see other road users as their fellow humans who deserved to be alive.

    “Some drivers need to be told how to behave while manning the wheels, some of them behave like kings and masters of the road” he said.

    In his speech, Mr Ushie Atusu, the Deputy Controller, Cross River Fire Service, Ikom Unit, described the sensitisation excerise as a rare opportunity for road users in the area.

    “This is the first time NEMA and other related agencies have synergised to educate people on tanker accidents and fires in Ikom.

    “This programme has exposed some of the causes of road accidents and fire incidents that destroyed lives and property in the past. We need to sustain this collaboration,” he said.

    Mr Yahaya Buhari, the Chairman of Petroleum Tanker Drivers, Ikom branch, urged members the association to practice the lessons they had garnered from the programme.

    “We appreciate the organisers of this programme, the lessons learnt today are life-changing lessons, we hope that this type of engagements will  continue,” he said.

  • JUST IN: 4 dead, 7 injured in Kano building collapse

    JUST IN: 4 dead, 7 injured in Kano building collapse

    The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has confirmed the death of four persons and seven injured in a building collapse at Abedi Sabon Gari, Fagge Local Government Area of Kano.

    Dr Nuraddeen Abdullahi, NEMA Coordinator, Kano state Territorial Office, confirmed the incident on Monday in Kano.

    He said the agency received a distress alert on Sunday, July 13, at about 6:49 p.m that a three-story uncompleted building had collapsed at Abedi Sabon Gari Kano.

    Abdullahi said the incident occurred at about 6:42 p.m. on Sunday following a prolonged and heavy downpour.

    “On receiving the information, we immediately mobilised a Search and Rescue (SAR) responses team to the scene in collaboration with other relevant stakeholders,” he told NAN.

    Abdullahi noted that eyewitnesses confirmed that several occupants were in the building at the time of the collapse, with many trapped beneath the rubble.

    The  NEMA Coordinator said as at 1:56 a.m on Monday, two fatalities have been confirmed, while six injured persons have been rescued.

    According to him, two additional persons were confirmed dead and one injured at about 5:41 a.m, and were all rushed to the Murtala Muhammed Specialist Hospital Kano for medical attention.

    “Several individuals are suspected to be trapped, and efforts are being intensified to reach them safely.

    “During the rescue operation, the perimeter of the site was secured to control the crowd and ensure the safety of responders, while heavy equipment and lighting (Amida light) support were being utilised” Abdullahi said.

    He said the search and rescue operations are still ongoing to rescue trapped victims in sustained coordination with stakeholders and local authorities.

    Abdullahi added that a detailed post-incident assessment report would be compiled at the end of the operations.

    According to him, there is currently no immediate request for additional external reinforcement, but the situation remains fluid and further updates would be provided as necessary.

  • NEMA launches campaign over imminent flood in Rivers

    NEMA launches campaign over imminent flood in Rivers

    The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has reaffirmed its concern over the imminent risk of flooding in Rivers and 11 other states across Nigeria.

    Mrs Zubaida Umar, Director General of NEMA, raised the alarm during the launching of a multi-stakeholder engagement held on Wednesday in Port Harcourt.

    She issued the warming based on the 2025 forecast by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMeT), which predicted severe flooding in four local government areas of Rivers, including Ahoada West, Ahoada East, Andoni, and Opobo/Nkoro.

    Umar, represented by Dr Godwin Tepiko, Director, NEMA South-South Zonal Directorate, explained that the forecast prompted the agency to launch its National Preparedness and Response Campaign (NPRC),  aimed at mitigating the expected impact.

    She emphasised that engaging with stakeholders was essential for ensuring timely and effective action to safeguard lives and livelihoods throughout the rainy season.

    “The devastating impacts of annual floods in Nigeria necessitate collaboration among all tiers of government, development partners, the private sector, media and citizens to manage disaster risks and build national resilience.

    “Lives, livelihoods, and infrastructure worth billions of naira have been lost to floods and related hazards in recent years.

    “Nigerians have suffered injuries and lost their lives’ savings due to unmitigated flooding and associated hazards year after year,” she stated.

    According to Umar, early warning systems have enabled NEMA to identify the disaster risk management implications of the forecast and develop mitigation strategies for dissemination vulnerable communities.

    He noted that vulnerability maps had been produced to guide both federal, states and local authorities in implementing effective risk reduction measures.

    Key disaster risk implications outlined include delayed onset of rains, earlier than normal cessation of rainfall, above-normal precipitation, and prolonged dry spells, among others.

    “These factors are expected to significantly affect socio-economic sectors, including disaster management, health, agriculture, transportation, water supply, education, security, and the environment.

    “To address these challenges, NEMA has implemented several proactive measures, including capacity building for local emergency responders, simulation exercise adherence to rainfall predictions for planting, irrigation, livestock vaccination, and pre-positioning of emergency supplies.

    “In addition, we are also campaigning for the desilting of drainages, integrity tests on critical infrastructure, evacuation planning, and enhancing safety and security surveillance in high-risk communities,” Umar added.

    She announced the deployment of field officers, in collaboration with state and local emergency agencies and volunteers, to relay early warning messages directly to flood-prone communities.

    Umar appealed to residents to begin preparations in anticipation of the looming flood threat to prevent a recurrence of past unpreparedness.

    She also called on traditional leaders, religious organisations, women and youth groups, and the media to support national efforts aimed at mitigating the expected disaster.

    Prof. Daniel Mbee, Director of the Centre for Disaster Risk Management and Development Studies at the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT), praised NEMA’s proactive engagement with stakeholders.

    He urged the agency to expand the scope of its consultations to involve more stakeholders.

    “The inclusion of more stakeholders is critical, given the scale of the forecasted flooding, which could displace entire communities and destroy infrastructure.

    “There is a need for government to treat this matter with the utmost urgency and ensure broader participation in mitigation efforts to minimise the impact of the impending disaster,” Mbee stated.

    Participating organisations at the engagement included the Ministry of Health, Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy, Police, NSCDC, FRSC, Red Cross, civil society organisations, Local Government representatives, and the vulnerable communities, among others.

  • Seven feared dead in Sokoto boat mishap

    Seven feared dead in Sokoto boat mishap

    The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Sokoto Operations Office (SOO), has confirmed a boat mishap that claimed the lives of seven persons in the Sullubawa community of Shagari Local Government Area, Sokoto State.

    The agency’s official handle on X (formerly Twitter) made this known on Wednesday, disclosing that the incident occurred on Monday, June 2, 2025, at about 9:30 a.m., when a boat carrying passengers capsized mid-river.

    A joint emergency response team from NEMA and the Sokoto State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) was dispatched to the scene to conduct an on-the-spot assessment and gather firsthand information.

    Preliminary findings suggest that the boat capsized due to strong winds that overwhelmed it during the journey.

    “A joint team from NEMA and the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) was promptly deployed to the area to gather firsthand information about the incident. The tragic event occurred on Monday, 2nd June 2025, at approximately 9:30 a.m., when a boat capsized mid-river, resulting in the drowning of seven individuals,” the post read.

    Officials present during the visit included the Chairman of Shagari Local Government Council and the legislator representing the area.