Flood Hits Kano Deputy Gov, Ex-IG’s Homes in Abuja [PHOTOS]

Floodwaters have submerged parts of Maitama Extension in Abuja, affecting several homes and raising fresh concerns over alleged alterations to drainage channels and green areas in the highbrow district.

Among the properties reportedly affected are the residence of Kano State Deputy Governor, Murtala Garo, and the home of former Inspector-General of Police, Solomon Ehigiator Arase.

Residents of the area blamed the situation on the alleged covering of a major canal that previously provided a natural route for stormwater during heavy rainfall.

The residents also alleged that the canal was covered to create room for construction and that a number of duplexes were subsequently built around the affected area.

According to them, the development has now left surrounding properties exposed whenever there is heavy rain.

“They covered a very big canal,” one of the residents said while describing the development.

“And this is the result,” the resident added as floodwater spread across the neighbourhood.

The resident identified two prominent properties affected by the flooding.

“One of the places affected is the residence of the deputy governor of Kano, Murtala Garo and another one is the residence of former IG Solomon Ehigiator Arase,” the resident said.

Residents further alleged that as many as 14 duplexes were constructed on land they described as part of the former green area and canal corridor.

“He built 14 duplexes on the green area and the canal,” the resident said.

The flooding has raised concerns about development around drainage channels in Abuja, particularly in areas where rapid construction has changed the natural flow of rainwater.

Residents said the consequences could become more serious if the drainage route is not restored before further heavy rainfall.

They said families living in the area are now increasingly worried about the safety of their homes and valuables.

“It is putting our family in danger,” one resident said.

“We are just heartbroken,” another affected resident said.

The latest incident has also revived earlier concerns raised over development in Maitama Extension.

In January 2026, human rights lawyer and activist Deji Adeyanju raised an alarm over construction activities in a designated green area in the district.

Adeyanju had alleged that about 20 duplexes were being developed on the land and warned that the project could create serious flooding problems because of changes to a natural water channel.

He said the developers had allegedly turned part of a canal into an access route after discovering that the estate did not have a proper road connection.

“I have just discovered that about 20 duplexes are being constructed on a designated green area in Maitama Extension.

“Even more alarming is the fact that the developers have now realised there is no access road to the estate and have resorted to converting a canal into a road,” Adeyanju said at the time.

Adeyanju also questioned how construction could have proceeded on the land if it was originally designated as a green area under the Abuja planning framework.

“One can only imagine the environmental disaster and severe flooding that Maitama Extension will face during the rainy season.

“How do you fence off a green area and then proceed to turn a natural water channel into a road, all in the name of greed?” he had said.

The January warning has now become a major point of reference following the latest flooding in the area.

Adeyanju had also described the alleged development as a distortion of the Abuja Master Plan and questioned the role of the FCT Development Control Department.

“This is a blatant distortion of the Abuja Master Plan, and it raises serious questions about how Development Control could have approved such a project in the first place,” he stated.

“Wike allocated a green area to someone to build residential on it,” he added.

The allegation concerning the allocation has not been established as a finding against the FCT Administration. Reports at the time said the administration and the Development Control Department had not issued an official response to the allegations.

In an earlier incident, the FCT Emergency Management Agency rescued residents after flooding affected parts of Maitama Extension and other communities in Abuja.

The agency had linked flooding in some affected areas to obstructions caused by structures erected on waterways, which prevented water from flowing freely.

However, Information on ongoing district infrastructure works in Maitama area lists stormwater lines among the facilities being provided.

Residents are now concerned that where natural waterways are blocked, formal drainage infrastructure may be unable to cope with the volume of water generated during intense rainfall.

They also accused the administration of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike of failing to adequately prevent the alteration of drainage channels and waterways in parts of Abuja.

“Flood is everywhere in Abuja,” one resident said.

The resident further accused Wike of allowing “the drainages, canals and waterways to his cronies and politician friends for building estates.”