Four Dead, Others Missing As Flood Sweep 26 Vehicles, 166 Houses In Abuja [Photos]

No fewer than four persons were confirmed dead and others are said to be missing in a flood disaster that ravaged TradeMoore Estate, along Airport Road, in the Lugbe area of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

According to Daily Independent, a top intelligence official of the Department of State Service (DSS) was among the four persons killed on Sunday night when he went out to buy drugs from a pharmacy while it was raining.

Residents in the area were said to have tried unsuccessfully to dissuade the DSS official from driving through the flooded area, but their warning came too late.

It was gathered that the flood also swept 26 cars, motorcycles, and household items, and it also affected 166 houses within the neighborhood including a police station in the area.

Speaking about the flood which took place after a heavy rainfall Sunday night, One of the residents said; “Lives lost. Homes destroyed. Businesses ruined. Cars were uprooted and carried away and families were rendered homeless.

“A man in a Rover was reportedly swept by the flood into the bridge by the Police Station and was found dead.

“A young lady who served out her NYSC in an office years ago is looking for the car she parked outside last night. Probably her biggest investment is from savings and loans.

“The owner of a Supermarket in the estate had his home and cars destroyed, his family has moved into the supermarket for shelter.

“All the goods in Prognosis Pharmacy and Supermarket is out on the street this morning damaged by the flood. That has been the reality in Trademore Estate for some years now.

“Last (Sunday) night’s flood is arguably the worst since the over 10 years history of flood in the estate.

“Last year, the video of a man swept away by the flood went viral. The Minister of State for the FCT visited, shared mattresses, cooking gas and cartons of noodles to families affected. No lasting solution was sought.

“This year, as more estates crop up in and around Trademore Estate, a more devastating disaster has occurred.

Another resident, Isaac Nelson, told Daily Trust that properties worth millions of naira were destroyed by the flood, adding that “many people died; four bodies have already been recovered, some people say more than that died. Some people are still missing.”

A resident, whose business centre was affected, Mr. Chisom, said “my office is affected by the flood. My laptops and office systems are all gone. A man in his car Lexus car was found in the gully over there, the flood water pushed him into the river. He was taken to the hospital but later died.”

Abuja Residents Wonders What Caused The Flood

A resident said, “Blames are flying around on why the flood was more devastating than ever. They say the government opened the dams last night and so did the resultant flood.

“Some say it is the wall recently built on Imo Street as part of security measures to prevent the infiltration of herders that caused the flood. Another said the developer had recently sand-filled areas that should be waterways and attempted to build on them, thus the resultant flood.

“My observation is that the key problem is the houses built on the waterways by the estate developer. The houses had been marked for demolition in the past, but there was no enforcement possibly because there was no compensation for affected families.

“NEMA van and staff were seen this morning (Monday) at 10 am directing traffic and moving round affected homes. FCDA Development Control will soon follow. Will a lasting solution be proffered? Will the necessary political will be mustered to follow through? We can’t be silent on this.”

When contacted, the Abuja Operations Head of the National Emergency Management Agency, Mr. Justice Nwazuruye, confirmed the incident, saying four bodies have so far been recovered.

Photos Of Damage Caused By Flood At Abuja Estate

KanyiDaily had also reported how a young lady whose wedding is scheduled to take place tomorrow had sadly died after the tricycle she had boarded was affected by a massive flood in Kaduna State.