Residents of several communities in Minna, Niger State, have called for urgent government intervention following a heavy flood that destroyed property estimated at more than N100 million and displaced several families.
The incident occurred in the early hours of Saturday after a heavy downpour overwhelmed drainage channels in parts of the state capital, affecting communities including Imani in Minna South and the M.I. Wushishi area.
Several houses were reportedly submerged, while vehicles, electrical appliances, fences and other valuables were damaged or swept away by the floodwater.
A former Chairman of the Niger State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Abdullahi Idris, and a community leader confirmed the incident.
Residents of M.I. Wushishi Housing Estate, Tunga, Maitunbi, Chanchaga and Shango told DAILY POST that the rainfall left extensive damage in its wake, with floodwater sweeping through residential areas and destroying properties.
At M.I. Wushishi Housing Estate along the Eastern Bypass, residents said the flood damaged houses, vehicles, a mosque and an Islamic school.
The residents attributed the severity of the flooding to inadequate drainage infrastructure, arguing that existing channels could not cope with the volume of water during heavy rainfall.
They also raised concerns about a dam reportedly constructed in the area by a man identified as Captain Taylor, alleging that flooding had become more severe in recent years.
The affected residents appealed to the Niger State Government to urgently assess the damage, provide relief to displaced families and upgrade drainage infrastructure in vulnerable communities.
They also called on humanitarian organisations, philanthropists and other stakeholders to assist affected residents who lost homes and valuables in the disaster.
The residents warned that without immediate action to improve drainage and address other factors contributing to flooding, subsequent heavy rainfall could cause greater destruction and pose serious risks to lives and property.
