Kogi: 70 communities submerged by flood – Deputy governor

Over 70 communities have been submerged by flood, the Kogi state government has revealed.

Mr Joel Salifu, the Deputy Governor, made the disclosure after an inspection tour to the Edeha community, saying that the flood is beyond the capacity of the state government.

Comrade Salifu, who is also the State Chairman, 2024 Kogi State Flood Disaster Response Committee, explained that the present situation in Edeha and other communities along the route had gone beyond its control in spite of the state government’s proactive measures towards this year’s flood.

He reiterated, “It is obvious that the present situation is beyond what the Kogi state Government can handle, we cannot do it alone.”

While stressing that the number of damaged properties, including farmlands is yet to be ascertained, he expressed delight that so far, no life has been lost in the affected communities.

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Salifu said that most of the inhabitants of the affected communities have relocated to the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps set up by the state government.

The Chief of Edeha community, Abdullahi Isah, in his remarks, confirmed that over 70 communities in the area are already under water and thanked the State government for its prompt action that had saved lives and property.

He explained that most of the affected people had all moved to higher ground, and were presently at the IDPs camps established in the community.

The paramount ruler of the community, Ohimegye Kotonkarfe, Saidu Akawu-Salihu said that beyond Edeh, all communities along those routes had been submerged.

He added that “communities like Gaduma, Gabor, Ikumo, Edama, and others are all under water as we speak,” stressing that communities such as Apaku, Egasema, Oka, Agwo were also being submerged.