At least, 25,000 persons have been rendered homeless in Makurdi by flood, findings by DAILY POST have shown.
Some of the affected residents, who spoke with our correspondent in Makurdi, Benue State capital on Wednesday, said they have been sleeping under the trees and at parks for the past two weeks.
The flood is said to be the worst after that of 2012 when River Benue over flew its banks and swept away several houses and many valuables in the state.
The areas hit are behind Zone 4 police headquarters, old Otukpo road along Aminu Isa Kotangora Arts Complex, Achusa Village, Wadata Rice Mill, Larozone Nyiman Quarters, Judges Quarters, Gboko Road, Logo, New Bank Road, North Bank, Abu, Shuluwa Road and the neighbourhood of Radio Benue.
When this reporter visited the affected areas on Wednesday, some of the residents were seen trying to move their belongings from the houses submerged by the flood.
The water was at the chest level when this reporter visited some of the affected areas.
A trip around the town showed some families living in a make-shift apartment.
Speaking with our reporter, a citizen journalist, Iorliam Shija, who was also sacked by the flood said he has been living in the hotel with his family.
The father of three said he has been trying to secure a better apartment for his family.
“We have been in the hotel for days now. My wife, three daughters and my humble self were all displaced by this uninvited visitor.
“But life still goes on, I am doing all I could to move my other belongings from the old house. This is the worst flood I have experienced in my entire life but I still thank God my family is fine,” he told out reporter.
Also speaking with our reporter at Achusa, a resident, who gave his name as Dor Shima, said he lost over N4m to the flood.
Shima, who is a furniture maker, said his workshop was swallowed up to zinc level by flood.
“I have been living under this tree with my family for days now. I just returned from Onitsha to buy goods, as we speak, I don’t even have a dime to look for another apartment. We will stay here until the water subsides,” he said.
Shima called on the Benue State government under the leadership of governor Samuel Ortom to come to their aide.
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