At least two persons have died and 18 communities have been displaced by a devastating flood that submerged parts of Doma Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.
The disaster has left hundreds of residents homeless, destroyed buildings and submerged extensive farmlands, triggering concerns over food security and the welfare of affected communities.
The state Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Dr Nawani Aboki, confirmed the deaths on Monday in Lafia, describing the incident as far more severe than normal seasonal flooding.
Aboki disclosed that the number of affected communities rose from 11 initially reported by the Nasarawa State Emergency Management Agency to 18 following a fresh assessment of the affected areas.
The agency had earlier estimated that more than 5,000 people were displaced by the flooding.
According to the commissioner, Governor Abdullahi Sule has directed the Executive Secretary of NASEMA to visit all affected communities and submit a comprehensive report to guide the government’s response.
“The Governor sent the Executive Secretary of the humanitarian agency to visit all the communities. He is working on a report. We hope government will take concrete action this week,” Aboki said.
He added that the state government was mobilising relief materials to assist displaced residents and prevent possible disease outbreaks arising from the disaster.
The commissioner, however, warned affected residents against returning to their homes, noting that water levels had yet to recede and that additional water releases from the Lagdo Dam in Cameroon could worsen the situation.
“We’ve asked them not to go back yet. If they hurry, it will be worse than it is currently,” he warned.
Aboki also urged residents living in low-lying and flood-prone areas to comply with repeated advisories from the state government, the National Emergency Management Agency and the Nigerian Meteorological Agency to relocate to safer, higher ground.
The government’s immediate priorities include assessing the full extent of the damage, providing relief to displaced households and taking measures to protect residents from further flooding.
The situation remains a concern as affected communities await further government intervention amid the risk of additional flooding.
