300 Houses Submerged, As River Benue Overflows Its Banks

MAKURDI—A sudden surge in the water level of River Benue has left over 300 houses and huts submerged, with many families rendered homeless in Makurdi, the state capital.
The unexpected flood, which also swept away property and valuables worth millions of Naira, may have created a major humanitarian crisis in the town and it’s environs.

Among the worst hit areas are Wurukum, Wadata Rice Mill, Agboughoul, Kutcha Utebe and Gydo Villa area settlements, while all the buildings that are less than 500 meters from the shore of the river and those directly behind the New Garage Road are also facing the prospect of going under the fast rising river.

One of the victims and resident of Wadata Rice Mill settlement, John Agboyi, said residents of the area were taken aback by the unanticipated flood.

“Its strange, we went to bed last night, only to wake up this morning to discover that flood water has overtaken our homes and neighbourhood, all we did was to battle to rescue some of our property from the fast rising flood water,” he said.

At Kutcha Utebe where families were seen moving their property from their homes, a resident, Terhile Fidelis, said the flood washed away most of his property before he could mobilize enough support and help to move them away.

He said: “My worry is that I do not have anywhere to go to with my family at the moment. I just can’t understand why this sudden rise in water levels cannot be adequately tackled by the government.”
Efforts to reach the Commissioner for Water Resources and Environment, Mr. Nick Wende, on the issue failed as he did not pick his calls nor reply to the message sent to his phone.