Flood: Houses, farms destroyed in Kogi, activities disrupted in Lagos

The Kogi State government has confirmed that flood has submerged nine communities in Ibaji and Kogi local government areas, leaving devastating impacts. The Executive Secretary of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Mukhtar Atima, disclosed this in Lokoja on Wednesday during an advocacy visit to the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abdulazeez Adams Adeiza, in his […]

The Kogi State government has confirmed that flood has submerged nine communities in Ibaji and Kogi local government areas, leaving devastating impacts.

The Executive Secretary of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Mukhtar Atima, disclosed this in Lokoja on Wednesday during an advocacy visit to the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Abdulazeez Adams Adeiza, in his office.

Atima explained that the essence of the Emergency Response Team’s advocacy visit was to alert the Ministry of Health to the need for collaboration in providing medical personnel and facilities in the event of widespread flooding.

In his response, the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Adeiza, stressed that tackling floods is a collective responsibility. He assured the agency of the ministry’s full support in deploying its services to affected communities.

In 2024, floods displaced over two million residents across 200 communities in nine local government areas of Kogi State.

Reports indicated that floodwaters submerged communities in Adavi, Ajaokuta, Bassa, Ibaji, Idah, Kogi, Lokoja, Ofu, and another part of Adavi, leaving devastating consequences.

Following the disaster, the state government raised an alarm that drew intervention from federal environmental agencies, international organizations, and other stakeholders due to the severity of the flood’s impact.

According to the State Commissioner for Information and Communication, Kingsley Fanwo, the 2024 flood disaster was devastating, with more than 200 communities submerged and close to two million people displaced.

Schools, hospitals, and other critical infrastructure were destroyed, while about 68 Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps were established in the affected areas.

Meanwhile, the SEMA boss has expressed concern over reports of rising water levels in the Rivers Niger and Benue, caused by heavy rainfall in riverine communities.

He warned that with the possible release of water from dams at any moment, the impact could be severe on the 258 communities already identified as flood-prone across nine local government areas.

“As part of ongoing preparations, SEMA has opened 42 Internally Displaced Persons Camps across eight flood-prone local government areas in Kogi. Emergency Operation Centres have also been established in vulnerable riverine communities. We are appealing to people living in flood-prone areas to relocate to higher ground,” he added.

The state government said it is closely monitoring the situation in all flood-prone communities for immediate response.

Victims count losses

Residents of the affected communities said floodwaters have destroyed farmlands, buildings, link roads, bridges, and disrupted social life.

Johnson Omachonu from Iyanwo community in Ibaji LGA said his farmland and those of others have been submerged for nearly two weeks.

“I couldn’t believe my eyes when I visited my farm last week. My yams were washed away; I only managed to retrieve a small portion.

“But in some areas, many have lost not only farm produce but also houses and other valuable property to the floods,” Omachonu said.

Farmers who cultivated yam were particularly hit, as many have been forced into emergency harvesting rather than waiting for the appropriate period, for fear of total loss of their investment.

“I had to begin harvesting my yams once I noticed the rising water levels on my farm.

“Many of us obtained bank loans to finance our farming. The question now is no longer about profit but how to repay the banks,” said Iboyi James from Odogu in Ibaji community.

Similarly, Abubakar Wahid, a resident of Kotonkarfe, headquarters of Kogi LGA, said his siblings had to relocate to his home after their community was overrun by floodwaters.

He explained that the disaster not only destroyed their property and crops but also cut off the only access road linking the community to other areas.

However, some residents insist they have learned to adapt to the yearly flooding. Mallam Zubair Adayi from Edegaki community in Kotonkarfe said relocation is never an option.

“We usually move out temporarily once the water level in Edegaki rises. This land is our ancestral heritage and our source of livelihood. We always return once the water recedes. We are used to it,” Adayi said.

Flash floods have also wreaked havoc in Kabba, Lokoja, Kupa, and Ajegwu, spanning Kabba/Bunu, Lokoja, Ofu, and Kogi local government areas. Property, roads, and other infrastructure were destroyed in the process.

Saidu Bn Malik, President of the Kupa Development Association (KUDA), said the flooding has crippled the local economy and exposed residents to growing health and safety risks.

“From Jamata to Budan, Kupa to Eggan, the impact is widespread and destructive. Prolonged rainfall and overflowing riverbanks have overwhelmed both natural and man-made water channels.

“Critical access roads—particularly the Jamata–Budan–Kupa–Eggan stretch—are now impassable, worsening the isolation of affected communities and frustrating rescue and relief efforts,” Malik said.

 

Lagos

Residents of Lagos State, particularly those in Lekki, one of the city’s most expensive neighbourhoods, expressed deep frustration after hours of heavy rainfall left large parts of the state submerged.

The downpour, which lasted several hours, brought traffic to a standstill, damaged properties, and forced many commuters to abandon vehicles and trek long distances.

Among the worst-hit areas were Mile 2, Lekki Phase 1, Lekki Expressway, 3rd Mainland Bridge, Ago Palace Way, Ayobo-Ipaja, Fola Osibo, and Sangotedo.

Residents and eyewitnesses blamed blocked drainages and poor water channels for worsening the flooding and slowing the evacuation of stormwater.

In Lekki, residents criticised the lack of government response.

Stephen, a resident, described the situation as deplorable, saying: “The roads are clear now, but the drainages remain clogged, and there’s a foul smell everywhere. I live in an estate and have not seen any government intervention. The traffic is unbearable.

“There’s also ongoing road construction at Abraham Adesanya. It should either be sped up or paused until after the rainy season,” he said.

Bello Kamal of Lekki Gardens Horizon II lamented that the flooding has severely disrupted his work and mobility.

“The prolonged rainfall has left major access routes waterlogged, with drainage systems overwhelmed. Vehicles were stranded, and residents had little mobility. Even remote work was hampered—telecom networks went down, making online meetings unreliable. Tasks that should take minutes stretched into hours, creating an unpredictable work environment,” he said.

Another resident, Peter Divine, narrated similar struggles.

“The flooding blocked the roads and drainage, making movement nearly impossible. I missed meetings and lost valuable work hours. On top of that, poor internet and phone service made remote collaboration ineffective. Navigating the flooded streets was unsafe and stressful, affecting my productivity,” he said.

A resident of Orchid Estate, who requested anonymity, said the situation has also worsened mosquito infestations. “The clogged drainage has become a breeding ground for mosquitoes and other insects,” he said.

The flooding triggered heavy gridlock across Lagos, forcing many to walk long distances. Commercial drivers lamented difficulties navigating submerged roads, while some abandoned routes altogether.

Traffic officials were deployed to critical areas, and residents were again warned against dumping refuse in drainage, with government agencies vowing stricter enforcement of environmental laws.

An eyewitness trapped on the 3rd Mainland Bridge described the experience as terrifying.

“The water was so bad that our bus nearly lost balance, and everyone feared we would end up in the lagoon,” the commuter said.

 

Residents need re-orientation – Experts

Environmental experts have pointed to the habits of residents and poor urban planning as key factors driving Lagos’ perennial flooding.

Climate change researcher and environmental health expert, Abeeb Ajagbe, explained that while Lagos’ rapid expansion without adequate infrastructure is a major issue, residents’ poor waste disposal practices make flooding worse.

“Buildings are constructed on wetlands, drainage systems are either inadequate or poorly maintained, and roads are not designed to handle heavy rainfall. But one major factor is how residents dump refuse into gutters, canals, and waterways, blocking the free flow of water,” Ajagbe said.

He stressed the need for re-education campaigns to correct these habits.

“People must understand the direct link between improper waste disposal and flooding. Reorientation is needed to show that proper disposal protects both homes and health,” he added.

Similarly, Saheed Adelakun, Managing Director and Chief Executive of Nigeria Integrated Social Housing Cooperative Society Ltd, attributed persistent flooding in Lekki to residents’ poor environmental habits.

“Our flooding problem is not just infrastructure, it’s about attitude. People drop bottles and cans carelessly, which eventually end up blocking drainage. Changing this habit would solve half the problem,” he said.

Speaking after a panel session at Big 5 Construct Nigeria, Adelakun highlighted the poor topography of Lagos and called for more government intervention.

 

Govt empathises with residents

The Lagos State Government has expressed sympathy with residents affected by Tuesday’s flooding. Commissioner for the Environment, Tokunbo Wahab, in a statement on his X handle yesterday, acknowledged the disruption caused, saying the government “deeply empathises with those affected.”

Wahab noted that as a coastal city, Lagos is naturally vulnerable to flooding, especially during heavy rainfall combined with tidal lock. He stressed that the government continues to invest in drainage infrastructure, regular desilting, and enforcement of environmental laws to mitigate the impact.

The commissioner appealed for public cooperation, urging residents to keep the environment clean, avoid dumping waste in drains, and desist from building on floodplains.