By Awyetu Asabe Hope
The Nasarawa State Government has confirmed the displacement of residents in more than 18 communities following severe flooding in the Eke Development Area of Doma Local Government Area.
The Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Nawani Aboki, disclosed this on Monday, October 19, 2026, while briefing journalists in Lafia, the state capital.
Aboki described the incident as a major humanitarian crisis, saying the flooding destroyed several buildings and farmlands and displaced hundreds of residents.
“Recently, there was an issue of flooding in the Eke Development Area of Doma Local Government, where over 18 communities were affected.
“It was not just normal flooding, but massive flooding that took place. A lot of people were displaced, and several buildings were destroyed, including farmlands,” he said.
The commissioner said Governor Abdullahi Sule had directed the Director-General of the Nasarawa State Emergency Management Agency to visit the affected communities and assess the extent of the damage.
He added that the agency was compiling a report to guide the government’s response.
Aboki said he had also visited the affected areas alongside the Doma Local Government Chairman to sympathise with residents.
According to him, displaced residents have taken refuge in communities on higher ground, including Agyema, Agbachi and Rukubi, also in Doma LGA.
He noted that the influx of displaced persons had put pressure on host communities but assured that the government was committed to facilitating their return when the floodwaters receded.
However, Aboki urged the displaced residents not to return to their homes yet, citing uncertainty over the possible release of water from the Lagdo Dam in Cameroon.
He said the government had begun arrangements to provide relief materials and other assistance to affected residents to prevent disease outbreaks.
The commissioner also advised residents of flood-prone, low-lying areas to relocate to higher ground in line with advisories issued by the National Emergency Management Agency and the Nigerian Meteorological Agency.
