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The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has warned of thunderstorms and rains across different parts of the country between Wednesday and Friday, September 9 – 11.

In its weather outlook released in Abuja on Tuesday (yesterday), the agency said parts of the North could experience morning thunderstorms and light rains on Wednesday, particularly in Taraba and Kebbi states.

It also forecast isolated thunderstorms with moderate rains later in the day across parts of Taraba, Borno, Yobe, Bauchi, Sokoto, Katsina, Zamfara, Jigawa, Kano and Kaduna states.

“For the North-Central region, thunderstorms accompanied by light rains are expected over parts of Nasarawa, Niger, Benue and the Federal Capital Territory during the morning hours.

“During the afternoon or evening hours, thunderstorms accompanied by moderate rains are expected over most parts of the region,” it said.

In the southern region, NiMet predicted a cloudy atmosphere with chances of morning rains over parts of Lagos, Ondo, Ogun, Oyo, Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta, Edo, Cross River, Abia, Imo, Ebonyi and Akwa Ibom states.

It said moderate rains were expected over most parts of the region later in the day.

For Thursday, the agency predicted patches of clouds across the northern region, with morning thunderstorms and light rains expected over parts of Jigawa, Kano, Borno, Yobe, Bauchi, Gombe and Kaduna states.

“Later during the afternoon or evening hours, thunderstorms with moderate rains are expected over Jigawa, Kano, Kaduna, Yobe, Bauchi, Gombe, Adamawa and Taraba states.

“For the North-Central region, sunny skies with patches of clouds are expected, with prospects of morning thunderstorms accompanied by light rains over parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Nasarawa, Plateau, Niger and Benue states.

“Later in the day, thunderstorms with moderate rains are expected over the entire region,” NiMet said.

The agency also forecast light morning rains over parts of Ondo, Ogun, Abia, Imo, Enugu, Ebonyi, Lagos, Akwa Ibom and Cross River states.

It said most parts of the southern region could experience continuous rains later in the day.

NiMet further warned of a high possibility of flooding in parts of Imo, Abia, Ebonyi, Akwa Ibom and Cross River states during the forecast period.

For Friday, NiMet predicted partly cloudy skies across the northern region, with chances of thunderstorms and moderate rains over Taraba and Adamawa states in the morning.

It said thunderstorms with moderate rains were expected in Borno, Yobe, Bauchi, Gombe, Kano, Jigawa, Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara, Adamawa and Taraba states during the afternoon or evening.

“Sunny skies with patches of clouds are anticipated over the central region, with chances of thunderstorms accompanied by light rains over parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa and Niger states during the morning hours.

“Later in the day, thunderstorms with moderate rains are anticipated in most parts of the region.

“A cloudy atmosphere is expected over the southern region, with prospects of moderate rains over parts of Ondo, Ebonyi, Lagos, Ogun, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River states during the morning hours,” it said.

NiMet said moderate rains were also expected over most parts of the southern region later in the day.

The agency warned that strong winds could come before the rains in areas expected to experience thunderstorms.

It urged members of the public to take necessary precautions and secure loose objects to prevent them from being blown away or causing damage.

“The states with the possibility of flash floods should activate the emergency response system immediately.

“Driving under heavy rain should be avoided. Disconnect electrical appliances from electrical sockets.

“Stay away from tall trees to avoid impact from falling branches and broken trees. Airline operators are advised to obtain airport-specific weather reports (flight documentation) from NiMet for effective planning of their operations.

“Residents are advised to stay informed through weather updates from NiMet,” it said.

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Evidence has surfaced of an official Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) letter notifying the Benue State Commissioner of Police of Peter Obi’s planned visit to Yelwata on September 8, 2026.

The letter, which was stamped as received, requested security for the NDC flagbearer’s short humanitarian stop.

The development challenges statements from Governor Hyacinth Alia’s aides that state authorities had no prior knowledge of the visit.

The Benue Police Command has also confirmed that it was informed and deployed officers.

Despite the notification, Obi’s convoy was blocked by youths on the Makurdi-Gboko road.

Obi’s camp described the blockers as thugs and linked the disruption to the state government. The government, however, denied involvement or prior knowledge of the visit and rejected the allegations.

The released letter has further intensified the dispute over whether notifying the police amounts to informing the Benue State Government, as well as who was responsible for the roadblock.

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The Benue State Police Command has launched an investigation into the reported blockade of the convoy of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, in Makurdi.

Obi’s convoy was reportedly stopped by youths on Tuesday as he travelled to Yelwata in Guma Local Government Area to visit communities affected by the deadly June 13, 2025 attack.

Confirming the incident, the Commissioner of Police, Cletus Nwadiogbu, said the command was investigating the circumstances surrounding the blockade and would identify those responsible.

Nwadiogbu said police authorities were informed that Obi’s visit was humanitarian and not connected to political campaigning.

“Everybody has freedom of movement in Nigeria, so I provided security. I also directed the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations to personally lead the men,” the commissioner said.

According to him, police operatives were deployed to provide security for Obi and his team throughout the planned visit to Yelwata.

However, the situation reportedly changed after the convoy arrived in Makurdi.

“Unfortunately, upon his arrival, we heard that the youths blocked the road and said they did not want to see him,” Nwadiogbu said.

Videos circulated on social media showed a group of people blocking a road near the Air Force Base along the Boko Road axis, with some individuals reportedly running after vehicles in the convoy.

The police commissioner said officers at the scene intervened to prevent the situation from escalating, but Obi was unable to continue his journey to Yelwata and subsequently left the state.

Nwadiogbu said the command would establish what triggered the protest and determine whether anyone organised or sponsored the blockade.

“We must get to the bottom of it and know why the youths said somebody cannot move freely,” he said.

He added that investigators would also examine reports of possible damage or destruction linked to the incident.

The commissioner assured the public that the outcome of the investigation would be made known when concluded.

Background

Obi’s camp has maintained that the visit was strictly humanitarian, describing it as an expression of solidarity with victims and survivors of the Yelwata tragedy.

The June 13, 2025 attack in Yelwata, which claimed more than 200 lives and displaced thousands of residents, generated widespread condemnation and renewed calls for stronger security measures in Benue.

The convoy blockade has since triggered political controversy. While Governor Hyacinth Alia’s camp has denied involvement, Obi’s supporters have alleged that state actors may have mobilised the youths.

The police investigation is now expected to determine whether the incident was a spontaneous protest or a coordinated action.