Israel Umoh
Torrential rainfall triggered severe flooding in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State Capital, forcing residents to flee their homes and leaving some homeless.
The flood submerged houses and roads, causing many in the affected houses to ‘swim’ out from the deluge for fear of being drowned.
Unfortunately, the floods swept away household properties, vehicles and Keke tricycles and covered others, causing the affected to have suffered losses put at millions of Naira.
The flood-ravaged areas were Udo Street bursting into Wellington Bassey Way, Abak Road by Port Harcourt to Ukana Offot Street, Nkemba Street, Iyah Street off Nkemba, Nsikak Eduok Avenue by Aka Itiam Road, Aka Itiam Road by Udo Umana Street, Ikot Ekpene Road, Tabernacle Street, Afaha Ube Street.
Others were Bassey Akpan Street by Osongama Estate, Ibup Street opposite Itam night market off Calabar–Itu Highway, Johnson Udo Ikpe Street opposite Shelter Afrique junction, parts of Akpasak Estate, Udo Akpan by Udo Udoma Avenue, Akwa Ibom House of Assembly Road, Udo tung Street off Nkemba lane and Nung Akpa Ime SDtreet off Udoudoma Avenue, among others.
The sudden rainfall that lasted hours on Wednesday evening drastically overwhelmed the drainage system, compelling commuters and passersby to pull up their trousers and dresses and walked through the ferocious floodwater.
The rainfall continued throughout Thursday, July 9, adding more woes to the houses abandoned by their owners.
In particular, those residing along the Tabernacle Road had terrifying experience as they watched their property, including cars, household items and even houses carted away by the floodwaters.
Frustrated by the incident, residents of Tabernacle Road and adjoining streets rolled up their sleeves, blocked Ikot Ekpene Road by Tabernacle Road and protested against their losses, calling on the government to come to their aid to avert further incursion of the rainwater to destroy their properties.
The protest forced motorists and other road users to abandon the road and meandered through other available streets to their destinations.
Gov Eno vowed to terminate Tabernacle Road Contract
Akwa Ibom Governor Umo Eno had issued a stern warning to the contractor handling Tabernacle Road and Outfall Drainage Project to complete of the job would be terminated due non-performance to avoid wastage of government resources.
Eno who stated this at a media briefing in Uyo on on Saturday, May 30, 2026, said that contracts were meant to be implemented to deliver democracy dividends.
He said it was hugely worrisome that some contractors handling state government projects were not proactive and patriotic.
The governor particularly stated that the contractors handling the Tabernacle Road in Uyo had not lived up to expectations.
The contract was awarded to Nsik Construction Limited, an indigenous firm that win the bid.
Eno said that the construction of 2.2 km Tabernacle Road project and enviromens with a 0.97 km underground outfall drain spanning across Uyo and Itu was re-awarded in February 2024, wondering why it had remained uncompleted despite mobilisation by the government.
Those residing along the Tabernacle Road had a terrible experience as they watched their property, including cars, household items and even houses surrender to the wishes of the flood waters.
Based on the frustration, they got to Ikot Ekpene Road to stage a protest, blocking the road and calling on the state government for help.
The situation was the same for those residing along the Ekpot Ossom Street. Most houses in that area were submerged. Shops and residential homes got affected, even as cars parked in compounds were made to float.
Reactions from Netizens
Netizens, residents and others affected by the flood mentioned the roads and streets devastated by the flood in their social media handles.
John Blazie Omo penned ‘‘but na 4 this kind flood person fit test if side chic na wife material. I cut cap 4 my assistance side chic, she still mount. I surprise come ask am how she take wake, she tell me she fit swim. Guys ensure una get at least 1 chic where dey swim oo.’’
Victoria Ann noted ‘‘Aka Itiam Road since last night we dey swim till this morning.’ and Mphõñ Bãhsîé observed ‘‘This is Bassey Akpan by Osongama Estate.’’
Salz Godwin observed ‘‘Chief Afaha Ube is more like the Red Sea.’’
Also, Hope Israel Nseyen wrote ‘‘My compound was an Atlantic Ocean and I had to Back one sister off so she can go to work cuz there was no canoe.’’
MfonEtime Dignity Eventz remarked ‘‘Ibup Street opposite Itam night market off Calabar Itu is something else.’’
Imelda Ebrene warned ‘‘You see Obio Imoh Before traffic light
No near that place sha.’’
Mhiz Sifon Udo stated ‘‘Church of Christ Abak Rd, Uyo, before Ukana Offot traffic lights.’’
Kay Aniekan mentioned ‘‘Uniuyo Hostel.’’
Orphicial Tizkid Johnson insisted ‘‘Udo Ikpe Street opposite Shelter Afrique junction by Oron Rd, the street has been like that for many years now.’’
Jonah Udoh pointed out ‘‘All Believers Street off Idoro Road adjacent to Road Safety is flooded.’’
Evelyn Harris said ‘‘See me this morning, a street in Akpasak Estate.’’
Abasi-Ifreke Ubom stated ‘‘John Udo Akpan by Udo udoma while Emem Effiong Afaha, by International Worship Center. Flood is massive.’’
Fortunate Jafar expressed shock ‘‘Omo, Nkemba by Abak Rd’’ while Imaan Imaluv Joseph announced ‘‘Udotung Street off Nkemba lane.’’
Emem Ekasa lamented ”Seventh Day Adventist Church, by Abak Road, ‘‘Iyah Street off Nkemba Street,’’ while Florence Effiong listed ‘‘ Tabernacle Road off lkot Ekpene Road. Similarly, Funnesco Archy noted ‘‘Ubara Street, Use Offot community on Nwaniba road, Uyo.’’
Elijah Enoch enjoined ‘‘Come over to Otu Street off Nung Oku Ibesikpo Asutan,’’ while Deborah Etim added ‘‘At Osongama Estate by Abel Damina Road.’’
NiMET Warns Akwa Ibom, 25 states against flood
Before the flash flood in Akwa Ibom, Nigerian Meteorological Agency had issued a flash flood risk alert for July 1–10 across Lagos State and 26 other states.
In the advisory, NiMet attributed the heightened risk to the persistent rainfall experienced in June.
It warned that further widespread rainfall expected during the period could trigger flooding as soils across much of the country are unable to absorb additional precipitation.
“Following widespread rainfall recorded across many parts of Nigeria in June, soils have become heavily saturated, reducing their ability to absorb additional rainfall.
“As July marks the beginning of the peak rainy season, the risk of flash flooding is expected to increase, particularly in low-lying, urban, coastal, and poorly drained areas,” the Sunday statement read.
According to the agency, states likely to experience flash flooding during the period include “Taraba, Sokoto, Borno, Zamfara, Kebbi, Katsina, Kaduna, Nasarawa, Plateau, Adamawa, Kwara, Kogi, Oyo, Ogun, Lagos, Osun, Ekiti, Delta, Edo, Abia, Imo, Anambra, Enugu, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Rivers, and Bayelsa.”
The agency also cautioned that “temporary power and telecommunications outages may occur in affected areas, while poor visibility during intense rainfall could pose risks to motorists and aviation operations.”
The forecast further highlighted the potential for waterlogging of farmlands, with possible crop losses, as well as damage to roads, bridges, drainage infrastructure, and other public facilities.
It warned that the anticipated heavy rainfall could have far-reaching consequences for transportation, public utilities, agriculture, infrastructure, and public health.
The weather agency asserted that the heavy rainfall could “trigger localized flooding, resulting in traffic gridlock, road closures and disruptions to transportation.”
Health officials were also urged to remain vigilant over the increased risk of waterborne diseases associated with stagnant floodwaters and poor sanitation.
To minimise the impact of the expected flooding, NiMet urged residents and emergency responders to take preventive measures without delay.
NiMet also called on emergency management authorities to step up preparedness efforts.
It stated, “SEMAs, NEMA, community leaders, and relevant stakeholders should strengthen preparedness and response measures.”
The agency stressed that proactive planning remains the most effective way to reduce the devastating effects of flash flooding.
“Early preparedness and timely action remain essential in reducing the impacts of flash flooding,” it added.
The agency advised Nigerians to: “Follow weather forecasts and flash flood advisories issued by NiMet; keep drains, gutters, and waterways free of refuse to ensure the free flow of water.
“Also, it said it should secure loose outdoor objects and reinforce vulnerable structures; and avoid walking or driving through floodwaters.”
