President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has extended his heartfelt condolences to victims of the recent natural and man-made disasters in Adamawa and Niger States, which claimed multiple lives and left several injured.
In a statement released Monday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu expressed grief over the lives lost in the flood that struck Yola, Adamawa State, and the boat accident in Guni village, Shiroro LGA of Niger State.
Tinubu praised the courage of emergency responders, including state emergency agencies, local divers, volunteers, and community leaders who have been instrumental in the rescue and recovery missions.
While acknowledging that climate change plays a significant role in the increasing flood incidents globally, the President cautioned citizens against practices that worsen the effects, emphasizing the need for greater responsibility and compliance with safety measures.
He also tasked opinion leaders, the Federal Ministry of Environment, the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, and the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) with increasing public sensitization on water safety.
To aid recovery, Tinubu directed the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the National Emergency Response Centre to collaborate with state governments in providing immediate relief and rehabilitation.
Over the weekend, floods in Yola reportedly claimed five lives and injured 55 others, according to NEMA. In Niger State, a boat carrying 39 passengers capsized near Guni village on Saturday, killing 13 people—including women and children—while 26 were rescued. Authorities suspect overloading and water turbulence as possible causes, pending the outcome of investigations.
What You Should Know
President Tinubu’s response to the tragic incidents in Adamawa and Niger reflects a growing concern about the rising human cost of environmental and infrastructural neglect.
With floods increasingly linked to climate change and recurring safety violations on Nigeria’s waterways, the President is urging a unified national effort to mitigate future disasters.
His call for enhanced advocacy, strict compliance with safety regulations, and inter-agency collaboration aims to curb preventable tragedies. Meanwhile, local communities remain in mourning as investigations and relief operations continue.
These incidents highlight the urgent need for both public awareness and government action on climate resilience and waterway safety.
