The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has released alarming statistics regarding the ongoing flood crisis in Nigeria. According to the agency, the floods have affected at least 611,201 individuals, with significant damage and loss reported across the country.
The latest figures, disclosed during a Strategic Communications and Inter-agency Policy Committee briefing organized by the office of the National Security Adviser on Thursday in Abuja, reveal that the floods have resulted in 201 fatalities and injured 2,119 people. Additionally, 83,457 homes have been damaged, and over 115,265 hectares of farmland have been affected.
Spokesperson for the Nigerian Customs Service, Abdullahi Maiwada, reported that the floods have impacted 154 local government areas across 29 states, displacing 225,169 individuals. NEMA is currently focused on coordinating relief efforts to address the extensive damage caused.
Maiwada further detailed that NEMA, following directives from President Bola Tinubu, has distributed 42,000 metric tons of food to flood victims. This aid initiative, executed in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, the Department of State Services, anti-corruption agencies, and the Office of the National Security Adviser, aims to support those affected by the disaster across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
In a related update, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offenses Commission (ICPC) reported progress in tackling corruption related to the flood response. The ICPC recovered N21,529,742.19, closed twelve cases, and conducted biometric captures of 85 public officials. The commission also uncovered issues of tax evasion involving the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) and other ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs).
Maiwada highlighted that the ICPC’s efforts include addressing corruption in the healthcare sector, with arrests made for the diversion of medical supplies and other related offenses. The commission also recorded 156 bank accounts under its Proceeds of Crime and Non-Disclosure (PND) portfolio.
The situation remains critical, with ongoing relief and recovery efforts essential to mitigating the impacts of the floods on affected communities.
