Abdullahi Sarki
Several areas of Lafia metropolis, including Unguwar Nungu, Millionaires Quarters and Bukan Sidi, were hit by flooding on Thursday following an early morning downpour.
The rainfall, which began around 4:00 a.m. and lasted until 10:00 a.m., forced residents to evacuate as water from blocked gutters overflowed into compounds.
Cheke Emmanuel, a resident of Unguwar Nungu, said the flood destroyed property and pulled down fences.
“Water from the main gutter found its way into people’s compounds, pulling down some fences and a building. It also destroyed valuables in homes and created a lot of panic at the time of the flood,” he said.
He added that many residents were seen bringing soaked valuables out of their homes.
“Many homes now are bringing out their valuables that were soaked. You can see people around the street in clusters discussing the ravages of the flood,” Emmanuel said.
He noted that no lives were lost but blamed poor drainage and unconstructed streets for worsening the situation.
“The source of it must be blamed on lack of drainages around that area and lack of construction of these two streets,” he said.
Emmanuel urged the government to act quickly.
“I think the government will need to act fast, because if this kind of rain continues like the one today, it will cause a lot of harm in the area. The government needs to address the challenges, to construct those streets so that water can flow into the channel, to the right, instead of penetrating into homes,” he warned.
Residents appealed to the Nasarawa State Government to intervene urgently.
Commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, Princess Dr Margaret Elayo, cautioned residents against building on water channels and advised households in flood‑prone areas to temporarily relocate.
She explained that the flooding was worsened by obstructed water channels, poor drainage systems, and indiscriminate waste disposal.
“The realities of climate change demand preventive measures,” Dr Elayo said, stressing the need for attitudinal change and government action to safeguard lives and property.
