
Several homes and roads were submerged after heavy rainfall caused flooding in different parts of Makurdi, the Benue State capital.
The downpour began in the early hours of Monday and continued for more than nine hours, leaving residents in several communities struggling with rising floodwater.
Areas affected include Achussa, New GRA, Nyiman, Idye, Naka Road, North Bank, Ankpa Quarters, Wurukum, Wadata and parts of Tilley Gyado-Terwase Agbadu.
Some residents said floodwater entered their homes, damaging household belongings and food items.
The flooding also disrupted movement as motorists and other commuters found it difficult to navigate several affected roads.
Residential buildings and business premises around ongoing construction sites and areas close to riverbanks were reportedly among those badly affected.
A resident, Agbo Benedict, blamed part of the flooding on blocked drainage channels linked to ongoing road construction.
He urged Governor Hyacinth Alia to direct contractors to clear blocked drainage systems and restore the free flow of water.
Inside Benue state:
Soldiers Rescue Six Kidnap Victims in Benue, Taraba
Troops Kill Suspected Bandit, Recover Guns, Ammunition in Benue
17 Arrested Over Alleged Attack on Police Officers in Benue
Agbo also alleged that the closure of some roads and drainage channels by construction companies had contributed to the situation.
Another resident, Angela Ortyon, said the flooding could have been worse without some of the drainage projects already completed by the state government.
She, however, noted that ongoing construction activities across the city may have worsened flooding in areas where drainage channels had been blocked.
Meanwhile, the Information Officer of the Benue State Emergency Management Agency, SEMA, Terna Ager, confirmed that the agency had received reports of flooding in Achussa.
Ager said officials of the agency had not yet visited the affected community to assess the extent of the flooding and damage.