Kaduna govt denies Kangimi Dam collapse fears, says structure "intact"

 

The Kaduna State Government has rejected reports of an "imminent collapse" of the Kangimi Dam in Igabi Local Government Area, calling the claims misleading and urging residents to stay calm but alert.

In a statement issued on August 20, 2026, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Public Works and Infrastructure, Alhaji Ashiru Abdu Na Abdu, said images circulating on social media were tied to structural issues first identified at the dam in 2015/2016, caused by ageing and pressure from heavy rainfall. Those concerns, he said, were addressed at the time through emergency remedial works carried out by the ministry to stabilise the structure.

The government said the dam has since undergone routine monitoring and maintenance, with "no evidence of active structural failure" to date.

"The dam is currently intact and performing its function," the statement said.

The clarification came after a flood advisory from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET), covering 10 states including Kaduna, stoked public concern. While acknowledging the advisory's seriousness, the government said characterising Kangimi Dam as near collapse based on nearly decade-old data misrepresented its current condition. It called on media organisations and advocacy groups to verify such information with the Ministry of Public Works and Infrastructure and the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources before publishing.

Officials said precautionary upgrades are underway, including the procurement of automated water-level gauges, early-warning sirens and telemetry systems to enable round-the-clock monitoring. A joint technical inspection with the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation has been scheduled for August 2026, and budgeting for the dam's full rehabilitation and additional safety equipment is in progress.

The statement added that community sensitisation efforts are ongoing in partnership with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Kaduna State Emergency Management Agency (KADSEMA). Residents downstream of the dam were urged to remain vigilant and report any unusual observations to the nearest authorities.

"Prevention is better than cure, but the truth must lead the way," the statement said.