Heavy rainfall on Monday morning led to devastating flooding at Trademore Estate in Lugbe along the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport Road, resulting in the feared loss of two lives and causing widespread damage. The estate, home to numerous civil servants and residents from various backgrounds, has long grappled with recurrent flooding issues.
According to eyewitnesses, a resident captured footage of the floodwaters and urgently appealed for assistance from the Federal Government and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike. Reports from the scene indicated that two individuals were swept away by the strong currents, although official confirmation from authorities is pending.
Efforts to mitigate flooding in Trademore Estate have been ongoing since 2022, with the FCT Administration making several attempts to demolish structures built on flood-prone areas of the estate. Legal challenges from residents, however, have stalled these efforts.
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) had issued forecasts predicting thunderstorms and hazy weather conditions across various parts of the country, including the central states like Plateau, Nasarawa, Benue, Niger, and the Federal Capital Territory. The forecast also warned of potential thunderstorms later in the day in states like Kogi, Niger, Plateau, Benue, Nasarawa, and the FCT.
In response to these forecasts, the FCT Emergency Management Department (FEMD) activated its flood preparedness protocols. Nkechi Isa, Head of Public Affairs at FEMD, stated that flood vanguards and local emergency management committees across the six area councils in the FCT were placed on high alert. NiMet’s advisory included precautions against strong winds preceding thunderstorms and urged the public to take necessary safety measures.
The National Flood Early Warning System (FEWS) Centre of the Federal Ministry of Environment also warned of heavy rainfall likely to cause flooding in 15 states, including Kogi, Nasarawa, Niger, and Kaduna, though the FCT itself was not predicted to experience severe flooding.
Florence Dawon Wenegieme, Acting Director General of FEMD, assured that mitigation measures were in place within the city, including the readiness of search and rescue teams and deployment of local divers to vulnerable areas. She urged residents to utilize the 112 emergency toll-free number in case of emergencies.
