BENIN CITY — Edo State recorded 47 incidents of fire, flooding, rainstorms and other emergencies in 2025, affecting more than 10,000 people, the Edo State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) has reported.
Dr Jerry Idahosa, SEMA’s Executive Secretary, disclosed this on Tuesday at a stakeholders’ engagement in Benin City organised by the National Emergency Management Agency in collaboration with Edo SEMA, under the theme: “Strengthening Disaster Management: Lessons from 2025, Vision 2026.”
The incidents included 15 fire outbreaks, 10 flooding cases, 10 rainstorm and windstorm events, one case of banditry or conflict, and seven other emergencies.
Idahosa said the agency is shifting from reactive emergency response to proactive preparedness to ensure communities are resilient against disasters.
Kenneth Ojudeire, Head of NEMA’s Benin Operations Office, noted that the engagement reviewed disaster management efforts in 2025 and identified gaps, particularly in reaching remote communities.
He said both NEMA and SEMA would strengthen early warning systems, rapid response, community engagement, and inter-agency coordination in 2026 to reduce risks and impact.
