The Kogi State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) has raised alarm over rising floodwaters that have completely submerged Ibaji Local Government Area, urging residents of riverine communities to relocate to safer grounds.
The Executive Secretary of SEMA, Alhaji Mouktar Atimah, gave the warning during an advocacy visit to the State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Adams Adeiza Abdullazeez, in Lokoja. He said water levels in Rivers Niger and Benue had continued to rise, posing imminent danger to surrounding communities.
According to Atimah, experts and dam managers have projected that excess water will be released into the rivers, causing further overflow from Tuesday night.
“258 communities across eight local government areas have been identified as flood-prone. Already, 42 internally displaced persons (IDP) camps have been set up, alongside an emergency operations centre to handle the situation,” he said.
He noted that five communities — Ota, Ofogbo, Itima, and Owara in Ibaji LGA — have been worst hit by the floods, stressing that the next 72 hours would be particularly critical for the state.
Atimah commended the Ministry of Health for its proactive support, which he credited for the absence of casualties during last year’s flooding.
In his response, Commissioner Abdullazeez assured that the ministry was fully prepared to respond to any disaster, noting that fumigation of all 42 IDP camps had already begun.
He added that health workers and resources had been mobilised to prevent outbreaks of diseases and ensure the welfare of displaced persons.
“Our ministry is not only about healthcare but also about human services. We are prepared for possible epidemics in the camps and have deployed personnel accordingly,” he said.
Abdullazeez also commended Governor Usman Ododo for his swift interventions in health and disaster response, recalling that no lives were lost during last year’s flooding.
“While other states recorded fatalities, Kogi recorded additional lives as two women gave birth to twins in an IDP camp,” he noted.
