The Kaduna State Government has dismissed reports circulating on social media alleging an imminent collapse of Kangimi Dam in Igabi Local Government Area of the state, describing the reports as misleading and capable of creating unnecessary panic among residents.
The government, in a clarification signed by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Public Works and Infrastructure, Alhaji Ashiru Abdu Na Abdu, said the images being circulated were linked to structural concerns observed at the dam in 2015/2016 and did not reflect its current condition.
The statement acknowledged public concern following the recent flood advisory issued by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), which included Kaduna among others, but urged residents to rely on verified information rather than old images and unconfirmed claims.
According to the government, the structural concerns identified at Kangimi Dam several years ago were promptly addressed through emergency remedial works carried out by the Ministry of Public Works and Infrastructure to stabilise the structure and ensure its safety.
It said Kangimi Dam had, over the years, remained under routine monitoring and minimal maintenance by the ministry, stressing that there was currently no evidence of active structural failure and that the dam remained intact and was performing its intended function.
The government, however, said it was taking precautionary measures to further strengthen the dam’s safety systems, noting that the state was currently procuring and planning the installation of modern safety equipment, including automated water-level gauges, early-warning sirens and telemetry systems for 24-hour monitoring.
It also disclosed that a joint technical inspection involving the Federal Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation and the Kaduna State Government had been scheduled for August 2026, while the budgetary process for the full rehabilitation of the dam and installation of additional safety equipment was ongoing.
The statement added that community sensitisation was ongoing in collaboration with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Kaduna State Emergency Management Agency (KADSEMA) to ensure that residents, particularly those living downstream, were adequately informed about necessary safety measures.
The government urged residents downstream of the dam to remain calm but vigilant and to promptly report any unusual observations to the nearest authorities, stressing that precautionary measures were being taken to prevent any possible emergency.
It also appealed to media organisations and advocacy groups to verify information with the state ministries of Public Works and Infrastructure and Environment and Natural Resources before publication, insisting that describing Kangimi Dam as being on the verge of collapse based on 2015/2016 information was misleading and did not reflect its present condition.