metro
Flood destroys houses, schools, farms in Plateau, Bauchi, Niger
Flood destroys houses, schools, farms in Plateau, Bauchi, Niger
A torrential downpour on Sunday wreaked widespread destruction across communities in Plateau and Bauchi states, leaving scores of houses destroyed, farmlands submerged, and hundreds of residents displaced.
In the Menkaat community, Shimankar district, Shendam Local Government Area of Plateau State, over 50 houses, including schools and a worship centre, were destroyed.
Residents said the rainstorm, which began in the early hours, was accompanied by strong winds that uprooted trees, knocked down electric poles, and blew off rooftops, causing several buildings to collapse.
Mazawaje Daniel Danjuma, the councillor representing Shimankar, confirmed the extensive damage, saying that rice farms were especially affected as floodwaters with sand overwhelmed the fields.
“Many residential buildings have collapsed. The intensity of the rainfall also destroyed farms. People have lost a lot,” he said.
Another resident, Mr. Lawrence Longwalk, appealed for urgent government intervention, noting that two primary schools and a worship centre were destroyed.
“From the level of damage, the people need urgent help,” he said.
Bauchi
Meanwhile, a rainstorm also displaced over 40 households and swept away farmlands in Dass Local Government Area of Bauchi State.
Adamu Nayola, Director of Relief and Rehabilitation at the Bauchi State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), said that although no lives were lost, many victims, especially women and children, are now in urgent need of humanitarian assistance.
Nayola blamed the severity of the flooding on a poorly constructed culvert by a road construction company, which failed to handle the heavy volume of water.
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He assured that SEMA had begun assessments and would provide relief materials to affected communities.
Niger
Also, flood submerged several farmlands in parts of Niger State following an early morning rainfall on Sunday in Kafin Koro, Paikoro Local Government Area.
The flooding also affected 18 communities in Lapai Local Government Area, where some farmlands were damaged, and many others remain at risk of being washed away.
Some of the affected communities include Dere, Eshi, Apataku, Tsakanabi, Kuchi Kakanda, Arah, Achiba, Rebba, Ebwa, Pele, Edda, Rigido, Gbami, Yawa, Baka, and Muye.
The state government on Sunday urged riverine communities to relocate to higher grounds, citing intensified rainfall across the state.
In a statement, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Communication, Media and Strategy, Jonathan Vatsa, acknowledged the emotional ties residents have to their ancestral homes but emphasised the need to comply with the government’s relocation advisory until the rains subside.
“As a government, we will continue to be proactive by appealing to the people, especially those in flood-prone areas, to immediately move upland to avoid another disaster like that of Mokwa,” Vatsa said.
“We understand the strong connection people have to their ancestral lands, but given the current flood alerts and the realities we are already witnessing, it is crucial that they heed this warning.”
“The Mokwa experience is still fresh in our minds, and we cannot afford a repeat. That is why we are urging the people to move to higher ground,” he added.
Vatsa revealed that the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) had earlier identified 15 out of the state’s 25 local government areas as highly vulnerable to flooding during the rainy season.
FG’s flood warning
The federal government also recently issued a red alert for imminent flooding in 11 states.
The alert, which predicts possible flood events, came from the National Flood Early Warning Centre under the Federal Ministry of Environment.
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Similarly, during the April unveiling of the 2025 Annual Flood Outlook, the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Prof. Joseph Utsev, listed several high-risk flood zones.
These include Abia, Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Gombe, Imo, Jigawa, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe, Zamfara, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Between March and July 2025, over 250 people were killed and thousands displaced due to a series of floods, windstorms, and rainstorms across states including Sokoto, Niger, Kaduna, Taraba, Ekiti, Ogun, and Imo.
The deadliest incident occurred on June 11 in Mokwa, Niger State, where more than 200 people died and dozens went missing after a massive flood submerged large portions of the town.
Just last week, heavy rainfall triggered severe flooding in various parts of Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, displacing hundreds of residents.
According to the police, eight buildings collapsed as a result of the flood, though no casualties were recorded.
The affected areas include Bulunkutu, Pompomari Bypass, Damboa Road, Gamboru area, Baga Road, Gwange, Moduganari, Dala, Moranti, and Jiddari Polo.
Many residents expressed fear, recalling the devastation caused by the September 10, 2024, flood.
Meanwhile, in Adamawa State, five people lost their lives and over 50 others were injured following a devastating flood that swept through several communities in Yola North and Yola South Local Government Areas in late July.
The heavy rainfall caused widespread destruction in the affected areas.
The worst-hit communities include Yola Bypass, Sabon Pegi, Yolde Pate, and Modire, where houses were submerged, farmlands destroyed, and roads washed away, hindering both human and vehicular movement.
Flood destroys houses, schools, farms in Plateau, Bauchi, Niger
metro
Delta State Police Arrest Suspects in Killing of Retired Justice Ifeoma Okogwu
Delta State Police Arrest Suspects in Killing of Retired Justice Ifeoma Okogwu
The Delta State Police Command has made a significant breakthrough in the investigation into the murder of retired Justice Ifeoma Okogwu in Anambra State, arresting key suspects linked to the case.
Spokesperson SP Bright Edafe disclosed on Sunday that operatives of the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID), acting on credible intelligence, apprehended 25-year-old security guard Godwin Mngumi on 6 December 2025. Mngumi allegedly murdered the retired judge, and authorities also recovered the deceased’s mobile phone from him.
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According to Edafe, Mngumi confessed to inviting a friend, Nnaji Obalum, and another accomplice — who remains at large — to the residence where the crime was committed. Obalum has since been arrested, while a manhunt continues for the third suspect.
The arrests mark a major step forward in the effort to bring all perpetrators of the high-profile murder to justice.
Delta State Police Arrest Suspects in Killing of Retired Justice Ifeoma Okogwu
metro
Delta State Police Recover Arms, Arraign 18 Suspects in Crackdown on Cultism, Violent Crimes
Delta State Police Recover Arms, Arraign 18 Suspects in Crackdown on Cultism, Violent Crimes
The Delta State Police Command, led by Commissioner of Police CP Olufemi Abaniwonda, has made significant strides in its ongoing campaign against cultism and violent crimes. Recent operations, including an intelligence-led arms recovery in Abraka and the arraignment of 18 suspects, highlight the command’s intensified enforcement efforts across the state.
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Spokesperson SP Bright Edafe said on Saturday that the CP-Special Assignment Team (CP-SAT), under ASP Julius Robinson, executed a successful operation on December 6, 2025, targeting cult-related activities and the proliferation of illegal firearms. Acting on credible intelligence, officers conducted a coordinated search at No. 2 Umeghe Community, Abraka, the residence of Isiakpere Friday, 67.
The move underscores the Delta State Police’s commitment to restoring safety and security in communities affected by criminal and cult-related activities.
Delta State Police Recover Arms, Arraign 18 Suspects in Crackdown on Cultism, Violent Crimes
metro
Nigerian Army Suspends Retirements for Officers Amid Nationwide Security Emergency
Nigerian Army Suspends Retirements for Officers Amid Nationwide Security Emergency
The Nigerian Army has temporarily frozen both statutory and voluntary retirements for certain officers, including Generals, following the nationwide security emergency declared by President Bola Tinubu. The decision aims to bolster manpower as the country faces a surge in kidnappings and worsening insecurity.
The move comes after more than 600 abduction cases were reported in November 2025, including the kidnapping of over 300 students in Niger State, 38 worshippers in Kwara State, and 25 students in Kebbi State.
An internal circular dated December 3 and signed by Maj. Gen. E. I. Okoro on behalf of the Chief of Army Staff cited provisions in the Harmonised Terms and Conditions of Service Officers (HTACOS) 2024, allowing service extensions “in the interest of the service.” The memo explains that officers usually retire upon reaching age limits, completing 35 years of service, or failing promotion/conversion boards, but these rules can be overridden during national emergencies.
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The suspension affects officers who have:
- Failed promotion examinations three times
- Been passed over repeatedly at promotion boards
- Reached rank age limits
- Failed conversion boards thrice
- Completed 35 years of service
Officers granted extensions will remain in service but will not be eligible for further promotions, courses, secondments, or extra-regimental appointments. Those unwilling to continue can still proceed with standard exit procedures.
Commanders have been instructed to communicate the directive and manage morale across units, with the policy to be reviewed once national security conditions improve.
Nigerian Army Suspends Retirements for Officers Amid Nationwide Security Emergency
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