Kogi State has once again been thrown into chaos as heavy floods sweep across several local government areas, submerging entire communities and forcing thousands of residents to flee their homes. The latest wave of flooding, which has hit Ibaji Local Government Area the hardest, has left at least five communities, Ota, Ofogbo, Itima, Owara, and one other yet-to-be-identified settlement, completely underwater.
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Farmlands, homes, schools, and places of worship have been destroyed. Families have been displaced, and the state government has now opened 42 internally displaced persons (IDP) camps to provide temporary shelter for victims who have lost everything.
This year’s flooding is being described as one of the most severe in recent memory, and officials warn that the situation could worsen in the coming days as more rainfall and potential dam releases threaten to increase water levels even further.
What Happened?
According to early assessments by the Kogi State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), rising water levels from the Rivers Niger and Benue are to blame for the extensive flooding. The rivers have overflowed their banks, submerging villages and destroying infrastructure that connects rural communities to the rest of the state.
The Executive Secretary of SEMA, Alhaji Mouktar Atimah, described the unfolding crisis as “a difficult period for the people of Kogi,” acknowledging the immense suffering that families in the affected areas are currently enduring. “We are doing everything possible to manage the situation,” he said, “but the scale of this flood is overwhelming. Many families have lost their homes, farms, and livelihoods. It is a humanitarian emergency.”
In Ibaji alone, reports indicate that entire villages are now accessible only by canoe. Local schools and churches have been converted into makeshift shelters as residents continue to arrive with what little belongings they could salvage from the rising waters.
The Human Side of the Crisis
Beyond the numbers and statistics lies a deeply human tragedy. For the people of Ibaji and neighboring areas, the floods have not only destroyed property but have also upended lives.
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Families fleeing for safety: Parents, children, and the elderly are trekking long distances to reach IDP camps. Some have been separated from loved ones in the chaos, while others are sleeping in open spaces, waiting for government assistance.
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Health risks rising: The Kogi State Ministry of Health has already begun fumigating IDP camps to prevent outbreaks of waterborne diseases such as cholera, dysentery, and typhoid. Contaminated water and poor sanitation remain major concerns in overcrowded shelters.
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Farmers counting their losses: Ibaji is one of Nigeria’s major rice-producing regions. Many farmers are reporting the total loss of their crops. Rice, cassava, and yam plantations have all been washed away. This disaster threatens not just local livelihoods but also Nigeria’s food security, as thousands of hectares of farmland are now submerged.
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Emotional and psychological toll: For many victims, the pain goes beyond material loss. The trauma of losing one’s home, savings, and community connections leaves lasting scars. Some residents say they no longer have the strength to start over, having endured similar floods in previous years.
One displaced resident, 45-year-old farmer Mrs. Comfort Oche, shared her ordeal: “We woke up in the night to find water entering our house. Before we could move anything, the whole place was flooded. We had to carry our children on our heads and run to higher ground. My farm is gone, my house is gone. We don’t even know where to begin.”
Her story echoes across Ibaji, families trapped in cycles of destruction and recovery, with each year bringing the same nightmare.
Why Kogi Is Always at Risk
Flooding in Kogi State is not new. Each year, as the rainy season reaches its peak, residents brace themselves for the possibility of disaster. The state’s unique geography makes it particularly vulnerable, it lies at the confluence of the Niger and Benue Rivers, meaning that when both rivers swell simultaneously, Kogi becomes the inevitable meeting point for floodwaters.
However, geography is only part of the problem. Experts have long warned that poor drainage systems, weak flood-control infrastructure, and unregulated urban development have worsened the impact of flooding. Many houses are built on floodplains without proper planning or environmental assessment.
Climate change is also playing a growing role. Rising global temperatures are causing irregular rainfall patterns, leading to heavier-than-usual downpours and more frequent dam releases. As a result, communities that once experienced mild flooding now face complete submersion.
Environmentalist Dr. Omale Moses, a lecturer at Kogi State University, explained:
“Flooding in Kogi is both a natural and man-made problem. The rivers will always rise, but our lack of preparation makes every flood a disaster. We need long-term solutions, proper embankments, dredging, early warning systems, and strict urban planning enforcement.”
What the Government Is Doing
In response to the disaster, the Kogi State Government has activated 42 IDP camps across the flood-prone local government areas. These camps are providing temporary relief in the form of food, water, bedding, and medical care.
The state’s Commissioner for Information, Kingsley Fanwo, said the government has set up an Emergency Operations Center to coordinate rescue and relief efforts. “We are working around the clock with local and federal agencies to ensure no life is lost unnecessarily,” he said. “But we need help. This is beyond what the state alone can handle.”
Health workers, local volunteers, and non-governmental organizations are now collaborating to provide basic needs such as mosquito nets, clean water, and emergency health services. The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has also been notified and is expected to deploy additional resources to Kogi.
Fanwo appealed to the Federal Government and international humanitarian agencies for urgent assistance, stressing that “Kogi cannot handle the crisis alone.”
Despite these efforts, many residents remain frustrated, claiming that relief materials are slow to arrive and that government intervention often comes too late. Community leaders have called for a more proactive approach to disaster management, one that emphasizes prevention rather than reaction.
Looking Ahead
Experts warn that the worst may not be over. With heavy rains still expected in October and November, and dam releases from neighboring countries such as Cameroon potentially increasing water volume, additional communities could soon face similar devastation.
Environmental groups and civil society organizations are urging both state and federal governments to prioritize long-term flood control projects. Proposed measures include:
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Construction of levees and embankments along the Niger and Benue Rivers.
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Expansion and dredging of drainage systems.
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Relocation of residents from high-risk zones to safer areas.
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Introduction of a real-time flood warning system for communities near water bodies.
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Public education campaigns on disaster preparedness and emergency response.
These measures, experts say, could significantly reduce the human and economic costs of flooding in the state.
A Call for National Action
Kogi’s floods are more than a regional problem, they are a national crisis. The state’s strategic position means that disruptions here ripple across the country. Roads linking northern and southern Nigeria often pass through Kogi, and when floods cut off these routes, food supply chains, fuel transport, and economic activities are disrupted nationwide.
The repeated nature of these disasters raises urgent questions about Nigeria’s climate resilience and disaster preparedness. How many more lives must be lost before proactive action is taken? How much more farmland must be destroyed before sustainable flood control becomes a national priority?
Final Thoughts
As the waters continue to rise, the people of Ibaji and other affected areas can only hope for swift relief and lasting solutions. Behind every headline is a story of human endurance, of mothers carrying their children through waist-deep water, of farmers watching their life’s work vanish overnight, of communities that refuse to give up despite years of recurring loss.
Kogi’s recurring floods are not just a natural disaster, they are a wake-up call. A call for better planning, stronger infrastructure, and decisive leadership. A call for compassion and action, not only from government but from all Nigerians and the global community.
Until real steps are taken, the cycle of flooding and suffering will continue. For now, Kogi’s people wait, for the rain to stop, for the waters to recede, and for the world to listen.