By Onilede Titi Faith
A heavy downpour on Thursday morning, September 11, 2025, triggered flash flooding in several parts of Abuja, submerging roads, disrupting traffic, and damaging businesses and homes.
Worst-hit areas included Asokoro, Guzape, Jabi, Kado, and Wuse, where floodwaters rose above knee level, leaving vehicles stranded and forcing pedestrians to wade through. Some commuters were trapped in gridlock for more than two hours.
Residents blamed the flooding on poor drainage, citing blocked channels and indiscriminate dumping of refuse. Town planners and engineers also pointed to illegal constructions on waterways, warning that violations of Abuja’s master plan will continue to put lives and property at risk.
Confirming the incident, the Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Department (FEMD) urged residents to remain vigilant during the rainy season, avoid driving through flooded roads, and report emergencies promptly.
The FCT Department of Development Control announced that a task force has been set up to identify and demolish buildings erected on waterways to restore proper drainage flow.
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) also issued a weather advisory, forecasting more heavy rainfall and thunderstorms across Abuja and neighboring states, particularly warning low-lying communities of flood risks.
Although no casualties were reported, residents expressed frustration over recurring floods in the capital city. “We go through this every rainy season. The government knows the problem, yet every year we suffer losses. Something has to change,” a Guzape resident lamented.
The incident has once again highlighted the urgent need for sustainable drainage infrastructure and stricter urban planning enforcement in the FCT.
