Massive flooding has tragically resulted in the loss of two lives and the submersion of 18 communities across parts of Nigeria's Nasarawa State. The catastrophic event has also displaced thousands of residents and caused extensive damage to homes, farmlands, and property worth millions of naira.
Among the villages severely impacted are Kwatan Bala, Olegokeme, Obendo, Achepe, Olegokpa, Ijiwo, Olegabgulu, Otiya-Gekye, Otiya-Giso, Odagede, Anagoga, and Otariga. These settlements fall within the Rukubi and Akpanaja Wards of the Doma Local Government Area in Nasarawa State.
Residents of the affected areas recounted their harrowing experiences, stating that the disaster began approximately two weeks ago. The unprecedented rise in water levels from the River Benue gradually inundated farms and residential areas.
Eyewitness Accounts Highlight Widespread Devastation
Mr. Joel Daniel Onuminya, a resident of Obendo village, described his community as one of the hardest hit. He lamented the significant losses suffered by residents, particularly the submergence of crops that were on the verge of harvest, leaving many families without a source of food. "The flood also affected some buildings, forcing some people to renovate their houses, while others had to relocate temporarily," Mr. Onuminya stated. He noted that while the water has begun to recede, allowing some residents to return, the extent of the damage is immense.
Explaining the nature of the flooding, Mr. Onuminya clarified that it is not an annual occurrence but is contingent upon the opening of the Lagdo Dam in Cameroon and periods of heavy rainfall. He recalled a similar devastating flood in 2012, adding that although the current event is not as massive, it has inflicted severe harm, including landslides that swept houses into the water.
Mr. Onuminya issued an urgent plea to the government, emphasising the immediate need for assistance in the affected communities. Many families, having lost their crops – their primary source of livelihood and means to pay children's school fees – are now struggling to feed themselves.
Similarly, Mr. Ogiri Philip Usman from Otiya village reported extensive property destruction in his area, though the water is now receding. He confirmed that houses and agricultural products bore the brunt of the disaster, compelling some residents, especially women, to seek refuge in safer locations. As the water levels return to normal, some displaced individuals have started making their way back home. Mr. Usman further clarified that essential public facilities such as schools and hospitals were also damaged, with residential properties and farmlands being particularly affected. He appealed to the government for aid to help Otiya residents recover from their substantial losses.
In Ijiwo, Mr. Sunday Ijiwo corroborated the accounts, stating that communities had been submerged for approximately two weeks, leading to widespread destruction of homes and displacement. He identified other impacted settlements as Ebendo, Omi, Opa, Jigo, Oganlu, Otarika, Otiake, and Otiaso. Displaced residents, he added, have sought refuge on higher ground and in other secure areas within the vicinity. While his communities experience flooding almost every year around this season, Mr. Ijiwo described this year's incident as significantly worse. He urged the government to provide a permanent relocation site for residents, alongside vital relief materials including food, clothing, and building supplies.
State Government Mobilises Response to Humanitarian Crisis
In response to the crisis, Benjamin Akwash, Director-General of the Nasarawa State Emergency Management Agency (NASEMA), confirmed that over 4,000 people have been displaced. The agency is actively procuring relief materials for distribution to the victims. This announcement followed an assessment visit led by the Director-General to the affected communities, prompted by a complaint from Hon. Musa Abubakar Ekye, the member representing Doma South Constituency in the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, to Governor Abdullahi Sule.
Governor Sule subsequently directed the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, NGOs and Disaster Management, and NASEMA to evaluate the extent of the damage. The assessment team had to travel by road to Makurdi, Benue State, before using a boat to reach the inundated communities, as the primary road linking Doma to the area was impassable due to flooding. Mr. Akwash described the situation as "devastating," noting that hundreds of homes were submerged, leaving residents without adequate shelter, livelihoods, or access to potable water. He highlighted that in some communities, water levels had reached window height, putting many houses at risk of collapse. He specifically mentioned Ojoo and Ifia among the visited communities, estimating the total number of affected areas to be between 11 and 12.
Mr. Akwash outlined the planned relief efforts: the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs will supply food items, while NASEMA will provide non-food essentials, including mattresses, blankets, mosquito nets, cement, roofing sheets, and other building materials. He also revealed that NASEMA had received a flood alert from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) prior to the rainy season, warning that Toto, Nasarawa, and Doma local government areas were at high risk of flooding. The agency had conducted sensitisation campaigns in riverine communities following this warning. Concerns remain regarding a potential further release of water from the Lagdo Dam, which could exacerbate the situation. Access to the affected communities is currently only possible by boat from Makurdi, as the road from Doma remains submerged.
Assurance from Nasarawa State Government
The Nasarawa State Government has reassured residents impacted by the floods that no one will be neglected in its disaster response. Dr. Nawani Aboki, the Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, confirmed the two fatalities during a press briefing in Lafia, characterising the flooding as a significant humanitarian crisis. He stated that Governor Sule had instructed the NASEMA Director-General to visit the affected communities and compile a report to guide the government's intervention. Dr. Aboki also mentioned his own visit to the communities alongside the local government chairman to offer condolences to the residents.
The commissioner disclosed that the bodies of the two deceased individuals are currently at a mortuary in Nasarawa Local Government Area, with burial arrangements expected to be finalised within the week. He explained that displaced residents have found temporary refuge in communities located on higher ground, with over eight communities reportedly congregating in Agwama alone. An additional four to five communities have gathered in Loko and other locations, placing considerable pressure on their host communities. Dr. Aboki urged residents in low-lying areas to evacuate to higher ground and adhere to advisories issued by the state government, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), and NiMet. He further cautioned displaced residents against returning home until the floodwaters have completely receded, reiterating concerns about possible further water releases from the Lagdo Dam. The government, he affirmed, is committed to providing relief supplies and preventing disease outbreaks in the affected regions.
Hon. Muhammad Baba Shehu, the Commissioner for Humanitarian Affairs, NGOs and Disaster Management, added that his ministry is actively mobilising relief and other support for affected communities in the Ekye Development Area, where more than 11 communities along the River Benue have also been submerged. He confirmed the ministry's collaboration with non-governmental organisations and development partners to provide shelter and livelihood support to flood victims, internally displaced persons, and other vulnerable groups.