The Nasarawa State Government has confirmed the displacement of residents in more than 18 communities following severe flooding in the Doma Local Government Area of the state.

The Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Nawani Aboki, disclosed this while briefing journalists on Monday in Lafia, the state capital.

Aboki described the incident as a major humanitarian crisis, saying several buildings and farmlands had been destroyed and hundreds of residents displaced in the Eke Development Area of Doma LGA.

“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 damage following the incident.

He added that the agency was compiling a report to guide the government’s response.

Aboki said he had also visited the affected areas with the Doma Local Government Chairman to sympathise with residents.

On the situation of displaced residents, the commissioner said they were taking refuge in communities on higher ground, including Agyema, Agbachi and Rukubi in Doma LGA.

He noted that the influx of displaced persons had placed pressure on host communities but said the government was committed to facilitating their return when the floodwaters receded.

Aboki, however, 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 support to prevent disease outbreaks in the affected communities.

The commissioner also urged residents living in low-lying areas to relocate to higher ground, in line with advisories issued by the National Emergency Management Agency and the Nigerian Meteorological Agency.