By Iroyin Yoruba Television News Desk
A downpour lasting more than nine hours has submerged several houses in Makurdi, the Benue State capital, destroying household items and leaving commuters stranded across multiple residential areas.
The rainfall, which began overnight and continued into the evening hours of Monday, 28 September 2026, affected neighbourhoods including Achussa, New GRA, behind Radio Benue, Nyiman, Idye, Naka road, North Bank, Ankpa Quarters, Tilley Gyado-Terwase Agbadu, Wurukum and Wadata.
WHAT HAPPENED
The rain started in the early hours of Monday and persisted for over nine hours, overwhelming drainage systems and causing water to rise into homes and streets across Makurdi. The sustained rainfall left many residents unable to leave their homes, while commuters were stranded as roads became impassable.
Household items including furniture, electronics and foodstuffs were destroyed by the floodwater. The full extent of the damage to property and infrastructure had not been officially assessed at the time of reporting.
AREAS AFFECTED
The flooding affected a wide swathe of Makurdi, from the central business district to residential suburbs. The areas listed by residents and local reports span both the eastern and western banks of the Benue River, which runs through the city.
Achussa, New GRA, and the area behind Radio Benue are located in the central and northern parts of Makurdi. Nyiman, Idye, and Naka road are residential districts on the eastern side. North Bank, Ankpa Quarters, Tilley Gyado-Terwase Agbadu, Wurukum and Wadata lie along the riverine western corridor, which has historically been vulnerable to flooding during the rainy season.
CONTEXT: MAKURDI'S FLOOD VULNERABILITY
Makurdi sits on the banks of the Benue River, one of Nigeria's two major rivers, and has a long documented history of flooding during the rainy season. The city's topography, with low-lying areas close to the river, makes it particularly susceptible to inundation when heavy rainfall coincides with high water levels.
The flood season in Nigeria typically runs from June to October, with peak flooding often occurring between August and September. The Nigerian Meteorological Agency and the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency have consistently identified Benue State as one of the states at risk of flooding during this period.
In September 2026 alone, flooding has affected communities across multiple states. Earlier in the month, flooding submerged houses in Makurdi after a similar downpour. In Edo State, flooding killed 1,400 birds and destroyed a palm oil mill in Enwan community, Akoko-Edo Local Government Area, on 28 September 2026.
The Federal Government has issued flood alerts to residents of 24 states, warning of communities at risk. Despite these warnings, many flood-prone communities lack adequate drainage infrastructure, early warning systems, and emergency response capacity.
THE HUMAN AND ECONOMIC COST
For residents of Makurdi, the flooding represents a recurring burden. Each rainy season brings the risk of displacement, property loss, and disruption to livelihoods. Small businesses, market traders, and households in low-lying areas are particularly vulnerable.
The destruction of household items — beds, clothing, cooking utensils, and food supplies — imposes immediate costs on families who may already be struggling with economic hardship. The loss of income from businesses forced to close during the flooding adds to the financial strain.
The Benue State Government has not issued a statement on the flooding or announced any relief measures as of the time of reporting. The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has also not released an official assessment of the damage.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT
Residents in affected areas are expected to begin clearing water and assessing damage to their properties. The Benue State Government and federal emergency agencies may conduct assessments in the coming days to determine the scale of the destruction and the needs of affected communities.
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency's seasonal forecasts indicate that more rainfall is expected in the coming weeks, raising the possibility of further flooding in Makurdi and other flood-prone areas. The city's drainage infrastructure will remain under pressure as the rainy season continues.
WHAT REMAINS UNCLEAR
Several key questions remain unanswered. The exact number of households affected, the total number of displaced persons, and the estimated value of property lost have not been officially established.
The Benue State Government has not announced whether it will provide relief materials, temporary shelter, or compensation to affected residents. No casualty figures have been reported in connection with the flooding.
It is also unclear whether the flooding was exacerbated by the release of water from dams upstream, a recurring factor in Benue's flood history. The specific water management authorities responsible for dam operations in the Benue River basin have not issued any statement on the incident.
For now, the flooding stands as a confirmed disaster that submerged homes and disrupted life across Makurdi, with the full scale of the damage and the response of authorities yet to be determined.