FCT emergency agency warns residents near waterways to relocate

The Acting Director-General of the Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Department, Abdulrahman Mohammed, has appealed to residents living close to water channels to consider relocating as the rainy season intensifies.

The appeal followed a flooding incident in the early hours of Friday at a one-storey building located at 22 Anthony Ikem Street, behind Blue Cabana Hotel in Mabushi District, FCT.

In a statement signed by the Head of Public Affairs, Nkechi Isa, FEMD said the overnight downpour led to the flooding of the ground floor of the building.

The agency disclosed that “it received a distress call at about 3:00 a.m.” and immediately deployed its Search and Rescue Team to the scene.

According to the statement, both flats on the ground floor were submerged up to window level, while responders were forced to manually evacuate water after the generator powering the pumping machine failed.

Although “no life was lost,” the flood destroyed household items, food supplies and documents belonging to residents.

The statement concluded, “Meanwhile, the Acting Director-General of FEMD, Abdulrahman Mohammed, has appealed to residents living close to water channels to relocate as the rainy season intensifies.

“Abdulrahman also called for the clearing of blocked drains and the removal of structures built on water channels.”

In recent years, parts of Abuja have experienced recurrent flash flooding during the peak of the rainy season, often linked to blocked drainage systems, rapid urban expansion and construction close to natural waterways.

These conditions have increased the vulnerability of low-lying communities, prompting repeated warnings from relevant agencies as seasonal rainfall intensifies.

FCT emergency agency warns residents near waterways to relocate

Gift Habib, Abuja

The Acting Director-General of the Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Department, Abdulrahman Mohammed, has appealed to residents living close to water channels to consider relocating as the rainy season intensifies.

The appeal followed a flooding incident in the early hours of Friday at a one-storey building located at 22 Anthony Ikem Street, behind Blue Cabana Hotel in Mabushi District, FCT.

In a statement signed by the Head of Public Affairs, Nkechi Isa, FEMD said the overnight downpour led to the flooding of the ground floor of the building.

The agency disclosed that “it received a distress call at about 3:00 a.m.” and immediately deployed its Search and Rescue Team to the scene.

According to the statement, both flats on the ground floor were submerged up to window level, while responders were forced to manually evacuate water after the generator powering the pumping machine failed.

Although “no life was lost,” the flood destroyed household items, food supplies and documents belonging to residents.

The statement concluded, “Meanwhile, the Acting Director-General of FEMD, Abdulrahman Mohammed, has appealed to residents living close to water channels to relocate as the rainy season intensifies.

“Abdulrahman also called for the clearing of blocked drains and the removal of structures built on water channels.”

In recent years, parts of Abuja have experienced recurrent flash flooding during the peak of the rainy season, often linked to blocked drainage systems, rapid urban expansion and construction close to natural waterways.

These conditions have increased the vulnerability of low-lying communities, prompting repeated warnings from relevant agencies as seasonal rainfall intensifies.