The Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Department, FEMD, has warned residents living near rivers, drainage channels and flood-prone areas in Abuja to relocate immediately as heavy rainfall continues across the territory.
The warning followed a flooding incident that affected a residential building in Mabushi District of the Federal Capital Territory in the early hours of Friday.
According to FEMD, the overnight downpour caused serious flooding at a one-storey building located at 22 Anthony Ikem Street, behind Blue Cabana Hotel in Mabushi.
The agency said the flood submerged the entire ground floor of the building, destroying household property and forcing emergency officials to carry out rescue operations.
In a statement signed by the Head of Public Affairs of FEMD, Nkechi Isa, the agency disclosed that it received a distress call around 3:00 a.m. and immediately deployed its Search and Rescue Team to the affected area.
According to the statement, the two flats located on the ground floor of the building were flooded up to window level following the heavy rainfall.
Emergency responders reportedly battled difficult conditions while trying to remove water from the building after the generator powering the pumping machine failed during the operation.
Officials were later forced to manually evacuate water from the flooded apartments.
Although no deaths or injuries were recorded, the flood destroyed household items, foodstuff and important documents belonging to residents of the affected building.
Residents were seen trying to salvage damaged property as floodwater gradually receded later in the day.
Reacting to the incident, the Acting Director-General of FEMD, Abdulrahman Mohammed, appealed to residents living close to waterways and drainage channels to relocate for their safety as the rainy season intensifies.
The agency also urged residents to clear blocked drainage systems around their homes and warned against dumping refuse into gutters and water channels.
Mohammed further called for the removal of structures illegally built on waterways, noting that such developments contribute heavily to flooding in many parts of Abuja.
“Residents living close to water channels should consider relocating as the rainy season intensifies,” the statement said.
The warning comes amid growing concerns over recurrent flooding in several parts of the Federal Capital Territory during the peak rainy season.
In recent years, communities in Abuja have experienced repeated cases of flash floods linked to blocked drains, rapid urban development and construction activities around natural waterways.
Several residents have also accused developers of ignoring environmental regulations by erecting structures on floodplains and water channels.
Environmental experts warn that continued blockage of drainage systems could expose more communities to serious flooding as rainfall becomes heavier in the coming months.
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency, NiMet, had earlier predicted increased rainfall and possible flooding in several states and the Federal Capital Territory during the 2026 rainy season.
The agency advised residents and relevant authorities to take precautionary measures to reduce risks associated with heavy rainfall and flash floods.
Over the years, flooding has become a major environmental challenge in many Nigerian cities, leading to loss of lives, destruction of property and displacement of residents.
In Abuja, some areas including Lokogoma, Lugbe, Mabushi, Gwarinpa and parts of Kubwa have repeatedly experienced flooding during periods of intense rainfall.
Residents in some flood-prone communities often complain about poor drainage infrastructure and slow government response during emergencies.
The latest incident in Mabushi has renewed calls for stronger enforcement of urban planning laws and improved drainage systems across the FCT.
Some residents also urged authorities to carry out regular inspection of drainage channels before and during the rainy season.
A resident of the area described the flooding incident as frightening, saying the water level rose rapidly within a short period.
“We woke up and saw water everywhere inside the house. Many people lost valuable property. We thank God nobody died,” the resident said.
Another resident appealed to the government to intensify public awareness campaigns on flood prevention and environmental sanitation.
Emergency officials have continued to advise residents to avoid driving or walking through flooded roads during heavy rainfall to prevent accidents and possible loss of lives.
As rainfall continues across Abuja and other parts of the country, authorities are urging residents to remain alert and quickly report emergencies to disaster management agencies.
The FEMD said it would continue monitoring flood-prone areas within the FCT and responding to emergencies as the rainy season progresses.