Flood claims three lives in Jos communities

At least three people have died in floods in Jos, Plateau state between Sunday and Monday, an official has said.

The floods were caused by heavy rains that lasted for many hours, affecting Gangere, Rikkos, Bauchi road, and Eto-Baba communities, all of which are located in Jos North Local Government.

Eugene Nyenlong, zonal coordinator of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), said his agency received a distress call informing them of the deaths. NEMA and other emergency rescue groups deployed to the affected communities

“As I speak to you, we are moving to the scene with other stakeholders to have an on the spot assessment of the disaster, and also carry out advocacy visits,” he told the News Agency of Nigeria.

“From the information before us, three persons have lost their lives from the flood that has become a recurring decimal in those areas.

“I appeal to the Plateau State Government to take stringent measures to ensure that the people vacate the flood prone areas.

“If the people do not want to move out permanently, they can vacate the areas during rainy season and return during dry season,” he said.

Sunday Abdu, the executive secretary of the Plateau State Emergency Agency (SEMA), said that his agency is also on their way to the affected communities. Abdu said that the agency will determine the next line of action after an on-the-spot assessment.

Flooding is becoming a major problem in Nigeria, and several states are particularly vulnerable.

In 2022, floods in Langtang North and South local government areas of Plateau state displaced hundreds of people and destroyed over 400 homes. In 2021, floods in Jos metropolis killed at least five people and destroyed property worth millions of naira.