The Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) has urged authorities to urgently inspect Kangimi Dam in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State following reports of cracks and structural distress at the facility.
NSEMA Director-General, Abdullahi Baba-Arah, made the call on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, warning that the reported defects must be assessed promptly amid the ongoing rainy season.
He said the inspection should establish the condition of the dam and determine potential risks to downstream communities and critical infrastructure in Kaduna and Niger states, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and adjoining areas.
Baba-Arah warned that a major failure could release a large volume of water rapidly, triggering potentially destructive flooding downstream.
He stressed that the alert was aimed at encouraging preparedness, not causing panic.
The NSEMA chief urged the Federal Government, Kaduna State Government, dam authorities, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Nigerian Hydrological Agency, Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), security agencies and other stakeholders to assess the facility and take necessary preventive action.
READ ALSO:Â Heavy Rain Leaves Thousands Stranded, Homes Flooded In Japan
He also called for downstream flood-risk mapping, effective early-warning systems and clear evacuation routes and safe locations for potentially affected communities.
Baba-Arah urged Kaduna and Niger states, the FCT and other potentially affected jurisdictions to strengthen emergency coordination.
Residents downstream of the dam and along connected waterways were advised to remain vigilant, follow official advisories and avoid unnecessary activities around waterways during heavy rainfall.
They were also cautioned against spreading unverified information capable of causing panic.
Concerns over Kangimi Dam date back to January 2018, when residents of six surrounding communities raised an alarm over cracks reportedly observed on sections of the facility.
They said the damage followed a reported thunder strike in October 2017 and appealed for urgent government intervention.
The latest alert does not confirm that the dam is failing or that a breach is imminent. It calls for professional assessment to establish the actual condition of the structure and any downstream threat.