Residents living close to waterways and drainage channels in Abuja have been urged to relocate as heavy rainfall continues to increase flooding risks across parts of the Federal Capital Territory.
The warning was issued by the Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Department (FEMD) after a severe flooding incident in Mabushi District during the early hours of Friday.
According to FEMD, the overnight downpour flooded a one-storey residential building located behind Blue Cabana Hotel in Mabushi, leaving residents stranded and destroying several properties.
The agency said it received an emergency distress call around 3 a.m. and quickly deployed its Search and Rescue Team to the area.
Officials revealed that the floodwater submerged the ground-floor apartments almost to window level.
Emergency workers reportedly had to manually remove water after the generator powering the pumping machine failed during rescue operations.
Although no deaths were recorded, residents lost household belongings, food items and important documents in the flood.
Reacting to the incident, FEMD Acting Director-General Abdulrahman Mohammed appealed to people living near water channels to consider relocating before the rainy season becomes more dangerous.
He also urged residents to clear blocked drainage systems and warned against building structures on natural waterways.
In recent years, several parts of Abuja have experienced recurring flash floods during periods of heavy rainfall.
Experts have linked the flooding problems to blocked drains, rapid urban development and construction activities along water paths.
Authorities fear that low-lying communities may face more flooding incidents as rainfall intensifies across the FCT.
The latest warning adds to growing concerns over environmental management and flood preparedness in Nigeria’s capital city during the rainy season.
