Over 25 communities along the River Niger in Edo State have been submerged by severe flooding following the release of water from the Lagdo Dam in Cameroon. The flood has heavily affected several areas in the Etsako East, Etsako Central, and Esan South East local government regions, leaving thousands of residents displaced and seeking shelter in Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps.
Local Authorities Report Widespread Damage
Ojimah Christopher, the Desk Officer for Relief Materials and Distribution in Esan South East Local Government, confirmed the widespread impact of the flooding.
“Twenty-five communities have been submerged in the flood,” he told journalists.
As the Local Government Secretary of the Emergency Committee, he emphasized that the displacement is extensive, with many of those affected now seeking refuge in local IDP camps.
In some communities, such as Ifeku, the situation is particularly dire.
“The entire community has been submerged, with property and livestock swept away by the waters,” Ojimah added.
The sudden rise in water levels has left many residents scrambling to find safety, as their homes and farms have been overtaken by the flood.
Residents Call for Urgent Government Assistance
Residents in the flooded areas are calling for urgent help from state and federal authorities. John Odaku, a resident from one of the affected communities, described the devastation they have experienced.
“Floodwaters submerged our farmlands, including crops like yam, cassava, and groundnut. Even the produce we had already harvested was swept away,” he said.
The speed and severity of the flooding took residents by surprise, leaving them little time to gather their belongings or secure their livestock.
Odaku expressed the community’s frustration and their plea for assistance.
“We couldn’t salvage our crops, farm produce, and livestock as the ravaging flood swept them away. We are asking the State and Federal Governments to help us because the local government has done what it can,” he urged.
NEMA Urges Evacuation to IDP Camps
In response to the crisis, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has called on residents in flood-prone areas to move to IDP camps to ensure their safety and avoid potential casualties. Dahiru Yusuf, the head of NEMA’s Benin Operation office, emphasized the need for quick action.
“We have been monitoring the flood situation in collaboration with state and local governments and other stakeholders. Some communities in the Esan South East, Etsako East, and Etsako Central local government areas are already displaced,” he noted.
Yusuf reassured the public that measures are in place to manage the situation.
“We have visited all the flood-prone local governments to assess their level of preparedness, and most of the IDP camps in the affected regions are ready to accommodate displaced persons,” he said.
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The Urgency of the Situation
The release of water from the Lagdo Dam in Cameroon has significantly raised water levels along the River Niger, resulting in severe flooding in parts of Nigeria, including Edo State. The rapid rise in water has surpassed levels seen in previous years, with residents describing the current situation as more severe than last year.