By By Elizabeth Ugbo
Several properties worth millions of naira were destroyed by a flash flood in Minna, Niger State, in early August 2026, prompting the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) to warn residents near waterways to relocate. The flood hit parts of the General M.I. Wushishi Housing Estate after heavy rainfall overwhelmed drainage channels and waterways, while mining activities and poor drainage maintenance worsened the situation.
Flash Flood Hits M.I. Wushishi Housing Estate
The flash flood submerged several homes within the popular M.I. Wushishi Housing Estate in Minna.
Residents struggled to salvage their belongings as floodwater entered their houses. No death was reported during the incident.
However, the flood destroyed household items, foodstuff, documents, mattresses and livestock.
The disaster also affected vehicles and other valuable property across the estate.
NSEMA Warns Residents to Relocate
The Niger State Emergency Management Agency has urged residents near waterways to move to safer locations.
Yusuf Mohammed, NSEMA Director of Relief and Rehabilitation, gave the warning during an assessment of the affected area.
Mohammed described the incident as an unexpected flash flood. He said it occurred earlier than the period when severe flooding usually hits Niger State.
According to him, the state normally records heavier flooding around late September and early October.
Therefore, the August incident caught many residents off guard.
Early Flood Warnings Issued Across Niger
Mohammed said climate and flood forecasting agencies had warned about heavy rainfall this year.
The warnings included seasonal climate predictions and annual flood outlooks.
He explained that NSEMA had already started sensitisation campaigns across communities.
The agency focused particularly on settlements near canals, rivers and other waterways.
Mohammed urged residents to remain alert and move to higher ground when necessary.
He also warned that the existing canal may not handle the expected water volume during peak rainfall.
Mining Activities Worsen Flooding
The NSEMA official blamed mining activities for worsening the flooding.
He said upstream mining activities had removed topsoil that normally absorbs excess rainwater.
Consequently, more water now flows downstream at greater speed.
Mohammed also linked downstream mining activities to blocked natural waterways.
These blockages, he explained, restrict the free movement of floodwater.
“What you are seeing in the background now is as a result of the bad flow of water that was blocked along this part by the activities of some of these miners,” he said.
Poor Drainage Maintenance Adds to Crisis
Mohammed also blamed poor maintenance of drainage infrastructure.
He noted that parts of the canal had collapsed.
He further identified a collapsed fence at a canal bend as another contributing factor.
According to him, the obstruction worsened the flow of water during the heavy rainfall.
Town Planning Violations Raise Concerns
The NSEMA official also raised concerns about town planning violations.
He said some residents built houses too close to the canal.
Some structures also appeared outside the original government-planned estate.
Mohammed explained that many affected buildings came from later developments.
He warned that such developments could increase the risk of future flooding.
Flood Victims Seek Government Assistance
Residents appealed to the Niger State Government for urgent intervention.
Ajayi urged the government to take decisive action against the recurring flooding.
She expressed frustration over repeated promises of government intervention.
According to her, residents still lack a lasting solution to the problem.
Another resident, Waziri Ahmed, described the flood as devastating.
Ahmed said floodwater destroyed almost everything inside his home.
He listed foodstuff, documents, mattresses and livestock among the losses.
He added that the water reached chest level inside the affected area.
As a result, residents evacuated their children to safer locations.
Ahmed appealed for government assistance to affected families.
He said many households had lost valuable property and sources of livelihood.
Residents Call for Urgent Flood Control Measures
Another victim, Bamidele Ajayi, said floodwater filled her house.
She said the water swept away her car and other belongings.
Ajayi said residents heard that mining activities had blocked the natural water channel.
According to her, the blockage caused water to back up into residential areas.
Residents have therefore called for urgent measures before the peak of the rainy season.
They want authorities to clear blocked waterways and rehabilitate drainage infrastructure.
They also called for stronger regulation of activities that contribute to flooding.
NSEMA Appeals for Immediate Relief
Mohammed appealed to the Niger State Government to assist affected residents.
He urged authorities to provide relief for families whose homes and property suffered damage.
Meanwhile, the latest incident has renewed concerns about flood preparedness in Minna.
Although no lives were lost, residents fear more severe flooding could occur later in the rainy season.
Therefore, NSEMA has urged residents near waterways to take early warnings seriously.
Moving to safer and higher grounds could help prevent further losses as rainfall intensifies.
