“No life was lost to the floods” FEMD denies reports that two residents were swept away by flood in Abuja

The Federal Capital Territory Emergency Management Department FEMD has denied claims that lives were lost on Monday, June 24, in the flash floods which hit the Trademore Estate in Lugbe, Abuja.

A video circulating online claimed that two people had been feared dead following Monday morning’s downpour which caused heavy flooding at the Trademore Estate in Lugbe, along the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport Road.

The department said its officials went to the area and interviewed some residents who denied knowledge of any death. 

FEMD Spokeswoman, Nkechi Isa, in a statement said the Ag. Director General of the department, Mrs Florence Dawon Wenegieme after an assessment of affected areas at Trademore declared that no life was lost. 

Wenegieme said; “We did not receive any distress call from Trademore. We saw the viral video and we went there to carry out an assessment.We interviewed some residents and they confirmed that no life was lost to the floods. 

“We activated NEMA, FCT Fire Service, Department of Development Control and Department of Engineering Services”.

According to Wenegieme, the houses submerged by the floods were the 116 structures marked for demolition in 2023 when the estate was declared a disaster zone.

She stated that FCTA was prevented from removing the structures by a court injunction instituted by the Association of Residents of Trademore. 

The Acting DG lamented that a primary school with about 500 pupils, management and staff is also sitting on the water channel, describing it as a disaster waiting to happen. 

She also informed that structures earlier demolished by the Department of Development Control were being rebuilt or renovated by the owners. She then appealed to residents in houses marked for demolition to relocate. 

The FEMD boss also advised the owner of Trademore to provide all needed infrastructure to avert a reoccurrence of flash floods that may lead to loss of lives at the estate.