The Benue State Emergency Management Agency (Benue-SEMA) has called on residents living within a one-kilometer radius of riverbanks to relocate immediately due to an impending flood disaster.
This directive was issued by the Executive Secretary of Benue-SEMA, James Iorpuu, after receiving critical weather updates from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Nigerian Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA).
The agencies have forecasted five days of heavy rainfall starting from Tuesday, September 16, with a high risk of severe flooding across the state.
Iorpuu identified the areas most at risk, including Udoma, Ugbokpo, Ukgbokolo, Ukpiam, Otobi, Otukpo, Mbapa, Makurdi, Gbajimba, Logo, and Abinsi, stressing the need for immediate action and urging residents to relocate as a precautionary measure.
He reassured the public that Benue-SEMA, with full support from Governor Hyacinth Alia, is well-prepared to assist those affected by the potential disaster.
To mitigate the impact, Iorpuu outlined designated camps for residents in high-risk areas to relocate to:
Residents of Kanshio, Logo 1 and 2, Achusa, Judges Quarters, Behind Hotel Lucia, and near BSU are advised to move to Makurdi International School along George Akume Road.
Residents of Kucha Utebe, Brewery, Gyado Villa, Mu, and Wurukum should relocate to LGEA Primary School Wurukum (popularly known as Suswam Thank You).
People in Rice Mill, Agboughul, Tionsha, and Wadata are encouraged to move to NKST Primary School Wadata, while residents in North Bank should relocate to St. Mary’s Catholic Primary School.
For those in Abinsi, the designated camp is LGEA Primary School Abinsi, while in Gbajimba, residents are urged to move to Government Secondary School Gbajimba.
Residents in Otukpo should relocate to St. Francis Otukpo, while those in Agatu should head to Oweto. People in Ogbokolo, Ogbokpo, Mbapa, and Ukpiam are advised to seek safer grounds where they can be reached by Benue-SEMA.
Iorpuu emphasized that these early warnings and weather predictions are aimed at encouraging proactive measures to reduce the risks posed by both natural and human-induced disasters in the state. He urged all residents in flood-prone areas to take the warnings seriously to ensure their safety.