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Flood alert in Edo, Delta, Anambra, others over Lagdo dam water release

Published

2 years ago

September 18, 2024

Lagdo dam

Flood alert in Edo, Delta, Anambra, others over Lagdo dam water release

The Federal government has put states along the River Niger and Benue axis on high alert as authorities in Cameroon begin releasing water from the Lagdo dam.

The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) announced the gradual release of water from Cameroon’s Lagdo Dam to mitigate potential flooding in Nigeria.

In a statement issued on Tuesday in Abuja, NIHSA’s Director-General, Mr. Umar Mohammed, disclosed that the dam’s management had officially communicated the decision to gradually increase water release over the next seven days.

Starting from September 17, 2024, the release rate will initially be 100 cubic meters per second, equivalent to 8.64 million cubic meters daily, with the possibility of increasing to 1,000 cubic meters per second.

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Mohammed further explained that the final release rate would depend on water inflows from the Garoua River, the main source of the Lagdo Dam, which also feeds into Nigeria’s Benue River, a vital waterway

The statement reads, “The release will be regulated to ensure that water levels do not exceed the capacity of the Benue River system, preventing major flooding in downstream areas of Nigeria,”

He called for increased vigilance in states along the Benue River, including Adamawa, Taraba, Benue, Nasarawa, Kogi, Edo, Delta, Anambra, Bayelsa, Cross River, and Rivers.

He also urged federal, state, and local governments to take necessary precautions and prepare for potential water level increases to minimize the risk of flooding.

He assured the public that measures have been implemented to manage the water flow and minimize the risk of flooding, with the release set to stop once inflows to the Lagdo reservoir are under control.

He stressed that there is no immediate cause for concern, as water levels along the Benue River remain within safe limits.

Recent floods in Nigeria: In the past weeks, many states in the North have seen flash floods destroy homes, properties and farmlands.

In Maiduguri, following the collapse of the Alau dam, major parts of the city have been underwater. In response, the federal government has announced a N3 billion support package to states across the country.

Flood alert in Edo, Delta, Anambra, others over Lagdo dam water release

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Nigerian Journalist Sentenced to 4 Years Over Facebook Post Criticising Police

Published

16 minutes ago

October 22, 2026

Trends Admin

Nigerian Journalist Farida Isiak

Nigerian Journalist Farida Isiak Sentenced to 4 Years Over Facebook Post Criticising Police

Amnesty International has demanded the immediate release of a 23-year-old Nigerian journalist sentenced to four years in prison — or a fine of ₦1.75 million — over a Facebook post criticising police in Kaduna State, describing the case as a “travesty of justice” and a weaponisation of the courts to silence free speech.

The case of Farida Isiak, a reporter with Nagarta Radio in Kaduna, began not with journalism but with a minor neighbourhood quarrel. According to Amnesty International, a dispute broke out between Isiak’s mother and a neighbour over ₦100 in change from a charcoal sale. Police reportedly arrested Isiak’s mother — and then detained her father when he went to the station to secure her release. Amnesty says the couple’s detention was used as leverage to pressure Isiak to report to the police station. When she arrived, officers accused her of defaming the police in a Facebook post in which she had criticised their treatment of her parents. Isiak deleted the post and apologised, according to Amnesty. Despite that, she was taken before a Sharia Court in Kawo, where she was convicted of defamation and sentenced to four years’ imprisonment or a ₦1.75 million fine.

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The human rights organisation did not mince words. Amnesty International described the proceedings as a “sham” and a “travesty of justice,” arguing that the arrest, detention and hasty sentencing amounted to “a flagrant abuse of power by the police and weaponization of the judicial system to silence free speech and intimidate journalists.” The organisation has called on the Kaduna State Police Command and Nigerian judicial authorities to immediately release Isiak, on authorities to drop all charges and cancel the fine, and on the Nigeria Police Force to launch an independent investigation into the officers involved.

The case has reignited concerns about press freedom in Nigeria and the use of criminal defamation-type proceedings against journalists and citizens alike. Critics argue that using detention of family members as leverage — and fast-tracking a case through court within days — sets a chilling precedent for free speech online. It is important to note that the account above is drawn largely from Amnesty International’s statements and reporting. As of publication, the Kaduna State Police and the court had not offered substantive public responses to the specific allegations in the available reporting, and the case may yet be subject to appeal or review.

A young journalist’s Facebook post criticising police has cost her four years of liberty — or a fine she may struggle to pay. Whether Nigerian authorities respond to Amnesty’s demands will be a test of the country’s commitment to freedom of expression and the protection of journalists.

Nigerian Journalist Farida Isiak Sentenced to 4 Years Over Facebook Post Criticising Police

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Third Mainland Bridge Crash: 10 Injured as LASEMA Averts Train Collision in Lagos

Published

13 hours ago

October 21, 2026

Trends Admin

Third Mainland Bridge Crash: 10 Injured as LASEMA Averts Train Collision in Lagos

LAGOS — At least 10 passengers have been injured in a chain-reaction crash involving two commercial buses and a trailer on the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos, while emergency responders separately averted a possible train collision at Ilupeju Bypass.

The two incidents occurred on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, according to the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA).

The bridge accident reportedly began when a commercial bus stopped to fix a faulty tyre. Another bus subsequently rammed into the stationary vehicle, triggering a chain reaction.

A trailer then crashed into the second bus before its driver reportedly fled the scene, leaving the injured passengers in need of emergency assistance.

LASEMA said its emergency response team arrived at the scene, administered first aid to the victims and evacuated them to a hospital for further treatment.

The damaged vehicles were subsequently cleared from the affected section of the bridge, allowing traffic to resume.

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The incident raised fresh concerns about road safety on the busy bridge, which connects Lagos Island with the mainland and carries heavy traffic daily.

In a separate incident at Ilupeju Bypass, emergency responders prevented a potential collision between a train and a commercial bus that had broken down on a railway track.

According to LASEMA, the bus became stranded on the track after developing a mechanical fault, creating a potentially dangerous situation for rail operations.

Emergency officials deployed a light tow truck to remove the vehicle from the railway line before a possible collision occurred.

The agency said its response team managed the situation and ensured that the stranded bus was removed from the track.

Following the incidents, LASEMA urged motorists to maintain their vehicles regularly and avoid stopping to carry out repairs on busy highways and bridges, warning that such actions could endanger passengers and other road users.

Motorists were also advised to exercise caution when their vehicles develop mechanical faults, particularly in locations where stopping could trigger secondary accidents.

The agency encouraged Lagos residents who require urgent assistance to contact its emergency hotlines on 767 or 112.

The incidents highlight the importance of vehicle maintenance, prompt emergency response and strict adherence to road and railway safety measures to prevent avoidable injuries and loss of life.

Third Mainland Bridge Crash: 10 Injured as LASEMA Averts Train Collision in Lagos

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Ebola Scare: NSCIA Directs Imams to Intensify Awareness in Friday Sermons

Published

13 hours ago

October 21, 2026

Trends Admin

Secretary-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Prof. Is-haq Oloyede

Ebola Scare: NSCIA Directs Imams to Intensify Awareness in Friday Sermons

The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has urged chief imams, Islamic scholars and Muslim organisations across Nigeria to intensify public awareness of Ebola virus disease (EVD) following the confirmation of a case in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

The council called on religious leaders to use Friday sermons, mosque gatherings and community engagements to educate worshippers about the disease, its symptoms, preventive measures and the importance of seeking prompt medical attention.

The advisory, dated Wednesday, October 21, 2026, was signed by the NSCIA Secretary-General, Professor Is-haq Oloyede, on behalf of the council, which is led by its President-General and Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III.

The council said religious institutions had an important role to play in preventing the spread of the infection by providing accurate information, encouraging early reporting of suspected cases and discouraging practices that could expose people to the virus.

It also urged state councils for Islamic affairs and Muslim organisations to mobilise their networks to ensure that public health information reaches communities across the country.

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The NSCIA warned that the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, responsible for the current outbreak, has no approved vaccine or specific curative treatment. However, it noted that early detection, prompt medical care and strict preventive measures could improve survival and help prevent further transmission.

The council advised Muslims who develop symptoms suggestive of Ebola to avoid congregational prayers and other public gatherings until they have received medical assessment.

It also cautioned against attempting to treat suspected cases at home or transporting potentially infected people without guidance from health authorities.

On burial practices, the NSCIA warned family members and ordinary burial attendants against washing or handling the bodies of suspected or confirmed Ebola victims. It said safe and dignified burials should be conducted by authorised health personnel in consultation with relevant Islamic authorities.

The council further encouraged regular handwashing, environmental cleanliness and avoidance of direct contact with the blood and other body fluids of people who may be infected.

It urged Nigerians to cooperate with contact-tracing teams and comply with official public health directives, while warning against rumours, unverified remedies and the stigmatisation of affected people and their families.

The NSCIA stressed that protecting human life and seeking medical care were consistent with Islamic teachings, urging religious leaders to communicate preventive advice responsibly without creating unnecessary panic.

The advisory followed the Federal Government’s confirmation on Tuesday, October 20, of an Ebola case in Abuja involving a woman who recently travelled to Nigeria after visiting Uganda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare said the patient was receiving medical care in isolation at a private hospital in the FCT.

Health authorities have identified 44 close contacts and commenced contact tracing to determine who may have been exposed to the infection. The contacts include healthcare workers, patients, caregivers and people linked to the patient’s travels.

The government, through the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) and other relevant agencies, has intensified surveillance and infection-prevention measures to contain the disease.

The NSCIA urged Nigerians to remain calm, vigilant and guided by verified information as health authorities continue their response.

The council called on imams, Islamic scholars and Muslim organisations to circulate its advisory widely and work with public health officials to protect communities from further transmission.