The Kogi State Government has appealed to the Federal Government, local agencies, and international relief organizations for urgent support as flooding continues to ravage parts of the state.
The disaster, caused by the overflow of Rivers Niger and Benue, has already submerged five communities in Ibaji Local Government Area.
The call for assistance was made on Wednesday in Lokoja by the State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Femi Fanwo, during a meeting with the management of the Kogi State Emergency Management Agency (KOSEMA). He explained that Kogi, located at the meeting point of the two rivers, suffers heavy damage each year but often receives less attention than other affected states.
The commissioner stressed that the government of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo is working to provide relief, but the scale of the flooding is too large for the state to handle alone. He pointed out that Ibaji, known for rice production, has been badly hit, raising concerns about food supply across the country. He further warned that if the state is cut off, the impact would spread beyond its borders.
Executive Secretary of KOSEMA, Mouktar Atimah, confirmed that the agency has opened 42 camps in anticipation of more victims. He recalled that more than 76,000 people were sheltered in camps during last year’s floods without recorded fatalities. He added that areas of Ibaji, Lokoja, and other parts of Kogi are already feeling the effect this year.
Officials from the Ministry of Information commended KOSEMA for its preparedness and pledged to continue working with the response teams to reduce the hardship faced by displaced persons.