Severe flooding wreaked havoc across Adamawa State on Wednesday, leaving at least five people dead, 55 injured, and hundreds displaced in Yola North and Yola South local government areas.
The disaster followed hours of relentless rainfall that began before dawn, submerging streets, homes, and farmlands in major communities including Tashan Sani, Shagari Phase II, Sabon Pegi, Modire, Ummare, Yolde-Pate, and Sanda Fadama II.
Many residents were caught off guard, fleeing in the dark as floodwaters rose rapidly. “Many lives were lost—mostly children. We are still searching,” said Furera Adamu, a resident of Sabon Pegi.
Entire neighborhoods in Shagari Low Cost and Sabon Pegi were submerged, with residents escaping into nearby bushlands. Power outages compounded the crisis as waters surged into homes. “The water came like a monster. We couldn’t save anything,” one man said.
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) confirmed the death toll and said all 55 injured persons are receiving treatment at Modibbo Adama Teaching Hospital.
NEMA’s Head of Operations in Yola, Mr. Ladan Ayuba, said officials from the agency, the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), the Red Cross, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have been deployed for ongoing rescue and relief efforts.
Flooded farmlands have raised fears of a looming food shortage, while stagnant water and poor sanitation conditions now threaten outbreaks of cholera and typhoid.
Displaced residents are sheltering in emergency camps and school buildings as the government scrambles to provide food, medical aid, and temporary housing.
