VIDEO: Tinubu’s Benue Visit Disrupted as Flooding Paralyzes Lafia-Makurdi Road

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's official visit to Benue State on Wednesday was met with severe disruptions following massive flooding that crippled vehicular movement along the Lafia–Makurdi expressway, one of the main access routes into the state capital.

The flooding, which reportedly began in the early hours of the day due to prolonged torrential rainfall, submerged large sections of the highway, leaving motorists stranded and bringing traffic to a complete standstill. Presidential motorcade movements were rerouted as a result, causing delays and a temporary halt in scheduled activities.

Presidential Contingent Rerouted

Security sources confirmed that the President’s advance team had to divert through alternative routes after the flooding rendered key portions of the Lafia–Makurdi corridor impassable.

> “We’ve activated emergency protocols and are working with the Federal Road Safety Corps and other responders to clear the road and assist commuters,” said a top official in the Benue State government, speaking anonymously due to the sensitivity of the visit.

Heavy Toll on Commuters

Travelers, commercial drivers, and locals have taken to social media to lament the impact, with many posting images of submerged vehicles and long queues. Several communities along the route, including parts of Doma and Agan, also reported floodwater breaching homes and farmlands, raising fears of crop loss and displacement.

Climate Concerns and Infrastructure Failures

Environmental experts have attributed the recurrent flooding in Benue and surrounding regions to poor drainage systems, unchecked urbanization, and the effects of climate change, urging immediate government intervention to improve flood management infrastructure.

This disruption during a high-profile presidential visit is likely to intensify calls for long-term solutions to Nigeria’s increasingly frequent extreme weather events, especially as the rainy season deepens.

Next Steps

As of the time of filing this report, the Presidency is yet to release an official statement addressing the flooding’s impact on the President’s itinerary or confirming whether affected parts of the visit would be rescheduled or cancelled.

Emergency relief teams are now on ground working to ease the gridlock and provide aid to affected travelers.