A sudden flash flood has devastated sections of the General M.I. Wushishi Housing Estate in Minna, Niger State, submerging several homes and destroying property worth millions of naira.
During a visit to the scene, residents were seen retrieving what they could from their flooded homes while pleading for immediate government assistance to resolve the recurring disaster.
One affected resident, Waziri Ahmed, shared that the waters swept away nearly all his belongings, including food items, important documents, mattresses, and livestock. He noted that the flood level reached chest height, forcing families to evacuate children to safety.
Another victim, Bamidele Ajayi, recounted how the floodwaters inundated her home and carried away her vehicle alongside almost everything she owned. She pointed out that mining operations had reportedly blocked the natural watercourse, causing the flow to back up into homes. Expressing frustration over unfulfilled government promises, she demanded decisive steps to stop the cycle.
Although no fatalities were reported, residents urged authorities to clear blocked channels, fix drainage systems, and control activities worsening the situation before heavy rains peak.
Responding to the damage, the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) advised people living near waterways, canals, and riverbanks to move to higher ground immediately.
Yusuf Mohammed, NSEMA’s Director of Relief and Rehabilitation, called the early August incident an unexpected event, as major flooding in the state typically occurs in late September or early October. He noted that despite climate warnings issued earlier in the year, the timing caught many off guard.
Mohammed rejected claims that the estate had never experienced major flooding, noting past occurrences in the area. He blamed the severe impact on local mining operations, explaining that upstream mining removes topsoil that usually absorbs rainwater, increasing runoff speed, while downstream mining blocks natural paths.
Additionally, he highlighted failing infrastructure, illegal building practices, and a collapsed fence along the canal curve as major factors.
“What you are seeing in the background now is as a result of the bad flow of water that was blocked along this part by the activities of some of these miners,” he said.
Mohammed warned that current drainage structures cannot handle anticipated peak rainfall and urged residents in high-risk zones to relocate. He also requested emergency relief from the Niger State Government for the victims.
