Severe flooding in Doma Local Government Area of Nasarawa State has submerged more than 18 communities, killing at least two residents and displacing thousands, according to reports from Punch and Premium Times. The disaster, which occurred in the Eke Development Area, was triggered by heavy downpours and the River Benue overflowing its banks. Nasarawa State Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Dr. Nawani Aboki, briefed journalists in Lafia on Monday, describing the event as a major humanitarian crisis that destroyed buildings, farmlands, and roads.
The Nasarawa State Emergency Management Agency initially estimated that 4,000 to 5,000 residents were displaced across 11 communities. Later assessments identified seven additional affected areas, raising the total to over 18 communities, with Agyema, Rukubi, and Akpanaja among the hardest hit. Displaced residents have sought refuge in higher-ground communities such as Agyema, Agbachi, and Rukubi, placing significant pressure on host populations. Access to the affected zones has become difficult, forcing officials and residents to route via Makurdi, the Benue State capital, before continuing by boat to some locations.
Governor Abdullahi Sule ordered the head of the state emergency agency to inspect the damaged sites and compile a report to guide the state’s response. The government is arranging relief supplies to prevent disease outbreaks and is committed to facilitating the return of residents once the waters recede. Aboki noted that the influx of displaced persons had strained local resources, stating that the government was working to alleviate these pressures.
Officials have urged residents in flood-prone lowlands to move to elevated areas, following advisories from national emergency and meteorological bodies. Aboki cautioned against premature returns to homes, citing uncertainty over potential water releases from the Lagdo Dam in Cameroon, which sits upstream on the River Benue. Emergency agencies continue to assess the full extent of the damage to homes, roads, and farmlands, aiming to determine the scale of assistance required for the affected households.