3 boats deployed to rescue trapped flood victims as Lokoja-Abuja highway closes

The Nigeria Red Cross Society has said that it had deployed three boats to the riverine areas of Ibaji Local Government Council of Kogi, to rescue trapped flood victims taking refuge on tree tops.

The state sector commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has announced the temporary closure of the Lokoja-Abuja highway, due to increase in the volume of water on the road.

He said since the volume of water on the road kept increasing, thereby making it dificult for vehicles to ply, they were directed to close the road to motorists.

In another press statement, the Corps Public Education Officer, Jonas Agwu, the FRSC said it had mapped out four designated routes for motorists to ply.

Some passengers travelling from the southern part of the country and heading to the North but got stranded in  Lokoja, Kogi State, as a result of the flood are now selling their belongings and personal effects to survive.

Mean while the Ministry of Environment of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in Collaboration with other partner agencies has set up a Web based Flood Early Warning System (FEWS) to monitor various locations in the country for Flood Signs, and Issue alerts to minimize loss of lives and property.

OMG,When i read this headline i must admit that it gave clarity to the flooding situation in Lokoja, this is a clear warning to Nigeria as a country, we are not immune to the natural disasters that occur in other countries and we need to seriously generate long term preventive and contingency plans to curb this re-occurring event.

My gateman's son who was on his way down to Lagos from Abuja, is also trapped in Lokoja, God help him.