Residents of Jalingo, the Taraba State capital, are counting losses after a prolonged downpour triggered widespread flooding that submerged houses, shops and schools across the city in the early hours of Saturday.
The rain, which began around 2:30 a.m. and lasted until about 11:30 a.m., brought temporary relief from weeks of scorching heat but left a trail of destruction, particularly in low-lying communities.
Areas worst hit include Mile Six, Mafindi and Mayogwai, where floodwaters overwhelmed residential buildings and displaced residents. The Jalingo Main Market was also inundated, with traders lamenting heavy losses as goods were soaked or swept away.
A resident of Mile Six, Bulus James, said he lost valuables, including household items and important documents, blaming the incident on blocked drainage channels caused by indiscriminate waste disposal.
“We tried to salvage what we could, but the water rose too quickly. Many people lost everything,” he said.
The flooding also disrupted transportation along the Jalingo–Wukari road after a temporary bridge near the collapsed Namnai Bridge was washed away. It is the second time in three weeks that the makeshift structure has been destroyed.
As a result, thousands of commuters and motorists were stranded on both sides of River Namnai, worsening travel hardship in the area.
A resident of Namnai, Mallam Tanko Saidu, confirmed that efforts were ongoing to deploy engine boats from nearby riverine communities to ferry passengers and vehicles across the flooded river.
“We are making arrangements to bring engine boats from surrounding communities to ease movement,” he said.
The latest flooding has renewed concerns over poor drainage infrastructure and waste management in the state capital, with residents calling on authorities to take urgent preventive measures to avert recurring disasters.
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