In a harrowing development, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has confirmed that the devastating flood that swept through Yola, the capital of Adamawa State, has claimed at least 25 lives, left 11 persons missing, and displaced no fewer than 5,560 residents from their homes.
The agency made this revelation in a situational report released on Tuesday, July 28, 2025. It added that the full number of injured and unaccounted persons remains uncertain as search and rescue efforts continue in earnest.
NEMA’s Yola Operations Office swiftly deployed emergency response teams to the flood-ravaged communities, working in close synergy with the Adamawa State Emergency Management Agency (ADSEMA), the Nigerian Red Cross Society (NRCS), the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and other relevant agencies to locate and retrieve both missing and deceased individuals.
“In continuation of the response efforts following the Yola flood disaster, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Yola Operations Office deployed a team to the affected communities,” the report stated. “The team collaborated with key stakeholders in the ongoing search and recovery operations for missing and deceased persons.”
During one of the latest recovery missions, another lifeless body was pulled from the floodwaters, further deepening the sorrow engulfing the affected communities. Meanwhile, several displaced residents have been moved to an established temporary shelter.
To streamline relief efforts and ensure effective coordination, NEMA disclosed that two previously established camps — AA Namtari Secondary School and Aliyu Musdafa College Yola — have been merged into a single, consolidated camp at Aliyu Musdafa College.
As of the latest count:
Total displaced persons: 5,560
Total households affected: 927
Displaced households: 524
Confirmed deaths: 25
Missing persons: 11
Injured/unaccounted: Figures still being compiled
In response to the humanitarian emergency, NEMA has set up a structured camp management system with the provision of basic necessities, including food, water, shelter, and sanitation facilities. The presence of both governmental and non-governmental partners, the agency noted, has played a crucial role in the efficient management of the crisis.
As rescue efforts intensify and the full scope of the disaster continues to unfold, affected families and communities are left to pick up the pieces amid grief, uncertainty, and hope for support and recovery.
Authorities are urging residents in flood-prone areas to remain vigilant and adhere strictly to early warning advisories, as climate change and poor drainage infrastructure continue to pose heightened risks across the region.
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