BREAKING: Flood Wiped Kogi LG, SEMA Orders Residents To Relocate

BREAKING: Flood Wiped Kogi LG, SEMA Orders Residents To Relocate

The Executive Secretary of the Kogi State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Alhaji Mouktar Atima, has revealed that floods have completely submerged Ibaji Local Government Area in the eastern senatorial district of the state.

He urged communities along the riverbanks to immediately relocate to safer areas.

Atima, who led the Emergency Response and Critical Team on an advocacy visit to the State Commissioner of Health, Dr. Adams Abdullazeez, warned that the situation had become critical due to the rising water levels in Rivers Niger and Benue.

Citing expert charts and updates from dam managers across the country, he disclosed that excessive water would begin flowing into the two rivers from Tuesday night, leading to a potential overflow.

He said, “258 communities in eight local government areas of the state have been marked as flood-prone areas while 42 internally displaced persons’ (IDPs) camps have been constructed to take care of those to be displaced while an emergency operations centre has been opened.

“Already, five communities in Ibaji Local Government Area were worst hit including Ota, Ofogbo, Itima and Owara community in Kogi Local Government Area of the state.”

He emphasized the vital role of the State Ministry of Health in disaster management, informing the commissioner of the imminent challenges expected within the next 72 hours as water levels continue to rise.

Atima also praised Dr. Abdullazeez for his proactive measures and support to the agency, which he credited for last year’s zero casualty record during the flooding.

In his response, Dr. Abdullazeez explained that the Ministry of Health was not only focused on medical care but also on broader humanitarian services. He assured that the ministry was well-prepared to tackle and mitigate any disaster.

According to him, all 42 IDP camps in the state had already been fumigated, and both personnel and materials had been fully mobilized to assist potential flood victims.

“My ministry is aware that outbreaks of diseases or epidemics may occur in IDP camps, and we are fully prepared,” he said.

Dr. Abdullazeez further commended Governor Usman Ododo for his strong commitment to health issues, stressing that the governor’s timely intervention during last year’s flooding ensured no lives were lost.