Crimes

Flood kills 3 in Plateau

No fewer than three people have been killed by flood in Gangere, Rikkos, Bauchi road, and Eto-Baba communities in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State.

The incident occurred after the areas were flooded over heavy downpours that lasted for many hours on Sunday and Monday, September 18, 2023.

Confirming the incident on Monday, the Zonal Coordinator of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Eugene Nyenlong, disclosed that the agency got a distress call that three persons had died as a result of the flood.

Nyenlong stated that NEMA and other stakeholders were going to the affected communities to assess the situation.

He said: “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.

“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.

“There is a tributary that connects the communities and makes them susceptible to flood.”

The NEMA official noted that apart from the tributary, the areas have poor drainage system.

Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of the Plateau State Emergency Agency (SEMA), Sunday Abdu, said they were on their way to the affected communities.

Abdu said that the agency would know the next line of action after an on-the-spot-assessment.

The Star