NEF Condoles with Niger Flood Victims, Demands Coordinated National Response

Folalumi Alaran in Abuja

The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) has expressed deep sorrow over the recent flooding in Niger State, which has claimed the lives of more than 160 people and destroyed homes, infrastructure, and livelihoods worth billions of naira.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the group extended condolences to the families of the victims, as well as the people and government of Niger State. The forum described the flood as a “catastrophic disaster” that reflects a larger pattern of natural tragedies across Northern Nigeria in recent years.

“This painful tragedy is not an isolated event,” said Prof. Abubakar Jika Jiddere, spokesperson for the Northern Elders Forum. “It echoes similar devastating floods that swept through several parts of Northern Nigeria in the past year, highlighting an alarming trend of recurrent natural disasters.”

The Forum attributed the scale and frequency of such events to not only worsening climate conditions but also to long-standing systemic failures in environmental planning, infrastructure development, and disaster preparedness.

NEF called for an immediate and comprehensive federal intervention to support victims and prevent future occurrences. It urged the Federal Government to collaborate with Niger State authorities to provide emergency relief, medical care, and the restoration of essential services.

“We are calling for urgent deployment of relief5 materials and psychosocial support, in close coordination with the state government,” Jiddere said. “Proper targeting of aid and long-term recovery planning must be prioritized.”

In addition to emergency relief, the Forum recommended that the federal government launch an independent, expert-led investigation into the underlying causes of the flooding. It suggested that such an inquiry examine the condition of water management infrastructure, land use practices, drainage networks, and the efficiency of emergency response systems.

“The outcome of such an investigation must inform the development of a national flood mitigation strategy tailored to the specific vulnerabilities of Northern Nigeria,” the statement read.

The Forum emphasized that recurring floods in the region have become a major humanitarian and economic threat and should no longer be treated as seasonal or isolated events. It called for urgent investments in modern flood control systems, the rehabilitation of drainage channels, reinforcement of riverbanks, and establishment of community-based early warning systems.

NEF also underscored the importance of public education and community preparedness in flood-prone areas, noting that long-term resilience would require both infrastructure and behavioral change.

“The Northern Elders Forum stands in solidarity with the victims of this tragedy,” Jiddere stated. “We reaffirm our commitment to advocating for policies and actions that protect the lives, dignity, and welfare of all Nigerians.”

The Niger State flood, which struck on May 29, has been described as one of the deadliest in recent years. State officials confirmed that over 160 persons lost their lives, while thousands have been displaced, with farmlands and public infrastructure severely impacted.

Federal agencies, including the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), have deployed response teams to the affected communities, even as investigations into the cause of the disaster continue.