BY GABRIEL ENOGHOLASE
BENIN—OVER 12 hours torrential rainfall grounded commercial activities in Benin, EdoS tate capital, Monday, and submerged some houses in Ekpoma, headquarters of Esan West Local Government Area.

Reports from other parts of state also indicated that people were forced to stay indoors due to the heavy rain.

Vanguard gathered that the rain, which started at 5a.m., left most parts of the city flooded with residents packing out their belongings.

The commercial centre of Benin, comprising Ring Road, Forestry, Third Junction and New Benin area, had most stores and retail businesses locked up.

A journalist, Mr. Iro Omorodion, told Vanguard that he had been forced out of his house on Anigeboro Street, adding that residents in the area lost property worth millions of naira to the flood.

Another victim of flood, Cordelia Igbe said: “I was in the office when I received a phone call from my neighbour to come home as flood water had entered my apartment.

“I had to take excuse from my boss and rushed home. What I saw was not what I bargained for at all. I am really confused. I don’t know what to do.”