Flood Submerges 200 Communities, Displaces Over 2 Million in Kogi

• The Kogi State Government reported that over 200 communities were submerged due to flooding, displacing more than two million distressed residents
• Commissioner Kingsley Fanwo urged immediate federal assistance, highlighting the overwhelming humanitarian crisis and the establishment of 68 IDP camps for displaced individuals

The Kogi State Government reports that a devastating flood has submerged over 200 communities and displaced more than two million residents.

Kingsley Fanwo, the state’s Commissioner for Information and Communications, revealed this during a visit to Kotonkarfe in the Kogi Local Government Area. He described the situation as a “humanitarian crisis ” and urged swift assistance.

Nine local government areas have been severely affected, including Kogi, Lokoja, Adavi, Ofu, Ajaokuta, Idah, Ibaji, Igalamela, and Omalla. The government has called on the Federal Government and international aid organizations to help mitigate the worsening hardship.

Fanwo stressed that the state is overwhelmed, and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) must act immediately. “We are facing an emergency,” he said, highlighting the extent of the disaster.

Over 200 communities are submerged, and nearly half of the state’s local governments are impacted. “We’ve set up 68 IDP camps, but they can’t accommodate the massive number of displaced people. Infrastructure such as schools and hospitals has been destroyed.”

Thanks to early warnings, no lives have been lost, but vulnerable groups like the elderly, women, and children remain in distress.

The state government spends heavily on relief efforts but lacks sufficient resources. Fanwo urged the federal government, NGOs, and philanthropists to step in and assist.

A flood disaster response team, led by the state’s deputy governor, has been established to coordinate relief efforts and support the victims.