Thousands of Internally Displaced Persons who are victims of the floods that have swept through more than 30 states of Nigeria are struggling to find shelter, with many settling in makeshift camps in appalling conditions.
This is just as the federal government has commenced the distribution of 12,000 metric tonnes of food and non-food items in Kogi, Anambra, Jigawa, and other states devastated by the recent floods.
The Anambra State government during the weekend took delivery of some non-food items including 7,350 nylon mats, 1,000 treated mosquito nets, 600 cartons of bathing soap, 2,500 pieces of guinea brocade (five yards each), 1,000 pieces of brand-new children’s wear, 1,000 brand-new women’s wears and 1,000 pieces of men’s wears.
The state will also receive 1,400 bags of 10kg rice, 1,400 bags of 10kg beans, 1,400 bags of 10kg maize, 75 bags of 20kg salt, 75 kegs of vegetable oil, 100 cartons of seasoning and 75 cartons of tin tomatoes.
The minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq, announced this yesterday at the 2022 International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction event held in Abuja.
The minister, who was represented by the director Humanitarian Affairs, Alhaji Ali Grema, said that efforts were being stepped up to address the challenges of flooding in the country.
She said, “You are all aware of the widespread floods that have been ravaging many states, local governments and communities in Nigeria.
“The scale of devastation of the present flood situation in the country can only be compared to the 2012 floods. More than 500 lives have been lost, more than 1.4 million persons affected, about 90,000 homes either partially or completely destroyed and still counting.
“Also destroyed are thousands of hectares of farmland, which has worsened fears of a disruption of food supply in Africa’s most populous country. These widespread cases are in 27 out of 36 states and the FCT.”
The minister, however, said that they disaster could have been mitigated.
“While we shall not apportion blames; we need to acknowledge the fact that we all had enough warnings and our advocacy was timely.
“However, communities must recognise that all disasters are local and they must take climate predictions and flood outlook warnings seriously. We cannot outrightly eliminate flood but we can keep people safe. That responsibility is collectively ours,” she added.
Minister Umar Farouq stated that the Ministry and all relevant stakeholders were working on implementing the National Flood Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan recently approved by the Federal Executive Council.
“The plan stipulates specific roles and actions for all states and local governments as well as households, communities and pressure groups. The ministry considers the importance of preventing deaths and loss of lives in a disaster that is predicted and occurs every year,” he said.
In an interview, the director general of NEMA, Mustapha Habib Ahmed, also assured that the delivery of relief materials to other states has commenced providing succor to persons affected by floods across the 36 states and Federal Capital Territory (FCT),
The director general said that the distribution of assorted food commodities from the National Strategic Reserve was approved by President Muhammadu Buhari to be distributed across the states to vulnerable Nigerians.
Lawmaker Decries Poor Condition Of IDPs In Anambra Camps
The lawmaker representing Anambra East state constituency in Anambra State House of Assembly, Hon. Obinna Emeneka, has decried the poor conditions of victims of flood disaster in some Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Anambra state.
The lawmaker, who visited some of the camps in Anambra East, Anambra West and Onitsha North Council areas yesterday, lamented that they were being poorly fed.
Emeneka, who donated relief items including bags of rice, cartons of noodles, drugs as well as an ambulance that would be used in case of emergencies, appealed to both the Anambra state and federal governments to provide more relief materials in the IDP camps.
He expressed worry when he arrived at Igbariam, Umueri, Umuoba Anam, Aguleri, and Onitsha camps, saying the victims in the camps looked malnourished.
He expressed regret that the disaster had left the people more backward in his Constituency.
The lawmaker, however, encouraged them to be strong and hold on as he would be presenting their conditions to the government even as he harped on the need for private individuals to urgently assist in providing succor to them.
He emphasized the need for relevant authorities, including the federal government, to designate more holding camps to cushion the effects of the flood disaster as some of the victims could not move to the already existing ones, which are considered too far.
Emeneka, who is also the PDP candidate for Anambra East and West Federal constituency for the 2023 general election, also announced that free medical attention would be given to anyone who falls sick during their stay in the camps.
The flood victims, mostly women, children and aged ones, thanked the lawmaker for coming to identify with them in their trying moments while calling for more assistance from the government, especially in the provision of food and medicine.
Several People Displaced As Flood Sacks More Kogi Communities
As Kogi State remains the epicentre of the 2022 flooding incident, more communities have been submerged with thousands displaced, even as the totally flooded Koton-Karfe Section of Abuja-Lokoja Highway is becoming motorable as the flood continues to recede.
A total of nine of the 21 local government areas are affected by the flood. These LGAs are Kogi, Lokoja, Bassa, Ajaokuta, Ofu, Idah, Omala, Igalamela-Odolu and Ibaji.
While speaking with the acting executive secretary of Kogi State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Mrs. Margaret Akuh, it was revealed that as part of government’s efforts to manage the natural disaster, a total of 77 camps had been created to host the over 484 communities from the affected local government areas.
Mrs. Akuh added that only about 40 percent of the displaced persons are registered in the IDP camps while other victims prefer to stay with friends and relatives.
“Only few of the affected persons are in the camp because the people have decided not to stay at the IDP camps due to various reasons best known to them,” she said, adding that some people chose to stay with friends and relatives while others have been housed by religious organizations where accommodation was provided for them.
The SEMA boss added that it was difficult to ascertain the number of displaced persons but from the register, over 600,000 people had been displaced by the flood.
Akuh said, “When we set up all our IDP Camps, we appointed camp managers for each camp and we also provided a register for all the camps. It saddens my heart that some people refused to go to the camps but chose to go their own way. But from the registers, over six hundred thousand people have been affected from the nine LGAs that got flooded.”
Flood: 111 Houses Affected In Abuja Communities, No Death Recorded – FEMA
The FCT Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has disclosed that 111 households in FCT communities were affected, but no death was recorded in this year’s flooding which is presently ravaging most parts of Nigeria.
The director general of FEMA, Abbas Idriss, while speaking on the impact of the flood in the FCT, explained that 85 households were affected by the floods in Dutse Makaranta, Dutse Baupama, and Dutse Sagbayi, while at Dutse Apo near Ceder Crest hospital, 26 households were affected by the floods.
He said that in most of the households, vehicles were submerged and houses flooded, and the agency intends to commence the distribution of relief materials like food and non food items to the victims to cushion the effect of the floods.
“Despite the heavy rains, there has been no loss of lives from flooding in the FCT. This is because of deliberate measures put in place by the FCT Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), to mitigate the impact of the rains this year.
“A major cause of floods in the FCT is urban flooding, caused by human-induced activities. FEMA was able to mitigate the impact of the perennial heavy floods associated with areas like Lugbe Trademore Estate, Dutse, Nyanya, EFAB Estate Lokogoma, and Apo -Dutsen. Despite the heavy floods, no lives were lost and properties were salvaged.
“One of the major steps we took to mitigate the impact of floods this year was an early warning]. So acting on the early warning by Nimet and the Nigeria Hydrological Agency we swung into action through massive sensitization and education of residents using media jingles and town criers.
“At the onset of the rains, we carried out a high-level technical assessment of all flood-prone areas in the FCT. The fallout of the assessment was the removal of all infractions impeding the free flow of water,” he said.
Kebbi Governor Sympathizes With Victims
No fewer than twenty people lost their lives in Argungu, Augie, Bagodo, Ngaski, Jega, Shanga, Birnin-Kebbi and Dandi local government areas in Kebbi state as a result of flooding this year.
This was confirmed to LEADERSHIP Sunday by the executive secretary of the state emergency relief agency [SEMA], Alhai Rabi’u Abass Kamba in his office in Birnin Kebbi.
He said there were over 2,000 displaced peoples at different IDP camps across the four emirate councils in the state.
According to him, Governor Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, who recently visited all the four designated IDPs camps, had sympathized with the victims and assured of government determination to return them to their families.
Governor Bagudu directed the heads of security agencies to provide adequate security at camps while SEMA is to provide relief items such as food and clothing to displaced persons in the camps.
Over 3000 Persons Displaced in Imo- NEMA
On flooding in Imo State, the state head of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Ifeanyi Nnaji, said no life was lost to flooding but that one person died in Mbaise as a result of urban floods.
He put the number of displaced families in Oguta and Ohaji-Egbema local government areas at over 3000.
However, houses in Works layout, World Bank, and some others in Owerri experienced flooding as water levels rose and forced residents to vacate their premises.
Nnaji, who heads the Imo and Abia state offices, stated that though there is an emergency relief centre, displaced persons chose to stay elsewhere and only come to collect food rations.
“Maybe it’s the makeup of the Imo man and woman, but there’s nobody in the emergency relief centre. They prefer to come and collect food rations and go to stay with other relatives on higher ground. In fact, the centre due to non-use is experiencing gradual dilapidation”.
Flood hits 33 Imo communities, Over 2,000 Displaced
The people of Egbema are counting their losses as flood has submerged no fewer than 33 communities, displacing over 2,000 persons in Ohaji-Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State.
This disaster has rendered many citizens in the affected areas homeless and helpless.
The 33 affected communities include Abacheke Community, with 14 villages, namely: Ogbedeyi, Ogboru, Okishikpa, Umudeyiezege, Umueze, Umuezukwefi, Umulakpu, Umuogrinya, Umuojioke and many more.
At the time of this report, the state government had yet to set up IDP camps for the displaced people.
The affected people in the communities, who spoke with LEADERSHIP Sunday during a tour of the communities in conjunction with the Coordinator of the Egbema North Development Area, Obinna Ariaga, appealed to both the Federal and State governments to, as a matter of urgency, come to their rescue.
In his comment, the traditional ruler of Abacheke, HRH Ikeji Bright, decried the development and revealed that his people were predominantly farmers and had lost means of livelihood as a result of the devastating effect of the flood.
“Government should assist us. We need urgent assistance such as food items, clothing , mosquito nets and other relief materials.
“We need government intervention as soon as possible. Our governor, Hope Uzodimma should find a lasting solution to the flood by ensuring that Oguta Lake and Urashi River are dredged as he disclosed recently, and also dredge the two rivers in this area,” he said.
How Flood of Fury Swept Through 10 Communities In Edo
Thousands of inhabitants in the riverine agrarian communities of Udaba-Ekperi Anegbette, Ukpeko Orle, Ofukpo, Agbabu, Osomegbe, Udochi, Yelwa, Ake Iand Ifeku Island in Etsako Central Local Government Area of Edo now take refuge at the Resettlement Camps in Udada as deadly floods have submerged the affected communities.
Also, agricultural produce like rice, cassava, vegetables, potatoes, ground nuts and others have been completely washed away by the devastating floods.
The affected people and communities are calling on both the Federal, state and local governments to come to their aid to avoid loss of lives.
However, when contacted, Edo State Commissioner for Special Duties, Osasere Evboumwan , said the government had visited the local government with NEMA, SEMA, the Head of Local Government Administration, and others in a bid see how assistance in terms of relief can come to the affected places.
“Their farms have been taken away by water, every year this flood comes and NEMA said the only solution to this is to dredge River Niger otherwise it will continue to occur. For the immediate solution, we are going to be supplying food for them, the IDP centre in Ogomeri is dry and there are facilities there but the people are reluctant to come there. We are preparing the IDP for them; there are mattresses there, there is a generator, the fridge is there, the kitchen is there, then we will beef up the medical centre.”
He noted that warning alerts have been issued to residents in lowlands, adding that food, blankets, medicines are available in the state’s warehouse.
Over 6000 Displaced In Yobe
In Yobe State an estimated 6,592 people have lost their homes, crops, livestock and personal belongings in the last month due to torrential rains and severe flash floods. Amongst the newly displaced are people previously forced to flee their homes by the heavy rains.
The most badly-hit areas include over 31,000 households across 255 communities in 17 LGAs of the state. Gujba (Mutai, Kukuwa Tasha, Buni Gari and Buni yadi), Gulani, Jakusko, Tarmuwa, Geidam and Bade witnessed the worst flooding in nearly half a century.
The floods have also killed many communities, with 75 fatalities reported as a direct consequence of windstorm/floods, and many more lives at risk across 10 LGAs.
Dr. Mohammed Goje, Executive Secretary Yobe State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) told LEADERSHIP Sunday that, “This initial findings/assessment is being reinforced by an ongoing Multisectoral Need Assessment (MSNA) currently ongoing across sampled population, assessing the impact on the populations.
The preliminary report indicates that over 196 communities across the 17 LGAs had lost 100 hectares of land due to the flood. Gory images of livestock killed and washed away by the flood has been recoded across some of the communities”.
Flood Kills 35 In Adamawa
Death toll in Adamawa floods has risen to 35, while the number of displaced people has swollen to 131,581 in the eight affected local government areas of the state.
Dr. Suleiman Aminu Muhammad Aminu, Executive Secretary, State Emergency Management Agency (ADSEMA), told to LEADERSHIP Sunday that flooding was compounded by the release of water from Dadin Kowa dam in Gombe and Lagdo dam in Cameroon, causing untold hardship on the people of the state.
He said the flooding in Numan, Shelleng, Guyuk, Demsa and Lamurde local governments was caused by release of water from Dadin Kowa Dam in Gombe state, which overflowed into Kiri Dam in Shelleng, forcing the authority the release of water as the dam could not contain the volume, thereby submerging houses and farmlands.
In Malso Girei and Fofure local government areas, the situation was worsened by release of water from Lagdo dam in Cameroon.
At least 11 temporary camps were erected by government to contain the emergency situation.
Already, government has summoned an all stakeholders meeting with the relevant MDAs and UN partners to mitigate health and other challenges on the displaced persons
135 Dead, 100,000 Displaced In Jigawa
In Jigawa state, over 135 people were confirmed dead as a result of flooding and rainstorm which ravaged hundreds of communities across the state.
Confirming the figure, the chairman of Jigawa state Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Alhaji Sani Yusuf Babura, said the 2022 flooding in the state has caused severe damage to farm lands, public infrastructure and houses.
He explained that the number of communities affected by the flooding is Increasing every day which made the situation more aggravated
Alhaji Sani noted that the death toll from the flooding, rainstorm and lightning had reached over 135, while the number of houses destroyed were more than 57,000.
The executive secretary added that the number of people displaced are more than 100,000, with some of them living within the 49 IDP camps established by state government while some are living within the communities not affected by the flooding.
He, however, stated that SEMA was working round the clock in collaboration with NEMA and other partners to support the victims.
Speaking on the disaster, the spokesperson of Jigawa state police command, DSP Lawal Shisu, said the number of casualties from the ongoing flooding disaster are increasing every hour.
13 Killed by floods in Gombe
In Gombe State, not fewer than 13 people lost their lives, many others sustained injuries and houses were destroyed as a result of floods in parts of the state this year.
The Executive Secretary of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Haruna Abdullahi, told LEADERSHIP Sunday in a phone interview that the victims were from Bajoga, Kaltungo, Akko and Yamaltu-Deba local government areas of the state.
He, however, said there is no camp for the displaced persons as they were reintegrated within their communities.
According to him, the state received about 45, 000 displaced persons who included victims of floods and crises from within the state and others.
“A boy died in Bajoga, and there were three people that died in Kaltungo too. Three children in Akko also lost their lives and others were in Yamaltu-Deba. In all, no fewer than 13 people lost their lives as a result of floods in the state”.
Uyo Metropolis hit by flood
Nigeria Metrological Agency (NiMET) has listed Akwa Ibom as one of the flood-prone states in the country.
It was gathered that the worst affected areas are Uyo metropolis and other parts of the state capital, including Ikpa road, where consistent floods have cut the road into two, forcing commuters to the other side of Calabar-Itu, Nduetong Oku and the adjoining Uyo village road to be stranded.
Other locations affected by the raging floods include Atiku Abubakar, IBB Way and Abak road by Nkemba street, where our correspondent learnt that a woman was swept into the open tunnel three months ago.
According to him, a joint rescue team led by the commissioner for Environment and Solid Minerals, Sir Charles Udoh, and Prince Akpan Ikim, the chairman in – charge of the Akwa Ibom State Waste Management Agency, who mobilized equipment and personnel, however failed to recover the remains of the woman, forcing protests by family members and local residents.
The state has no reason to establish the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp, as according to the Environment Commissioner and Solid Minerals, Sir Charles Udoh, “the government is doing its very best under the able leadership of the Governor Udom Emmanuel to tackle the floods problem in the state.”
24 Persons Dead, 18,000 Homeless in Katsina
Not fewer than 24 persons are reportedly dead, and 18,245 other victims were rendered homeless as a result of flood and rainstorms that wreaked havoc in some parts of Katsina state.
The State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) disclosed this through the spokesman, Umar Muhammad, who said the deaths and destructions were recorded across the 34 Local Government Areas of the state this year.
“This rainy season has been devastating for us in Katsina State. So far, we have recorded 24 deaths while several other persons sustained various degrees of injury as a result of the natural disasters.
“16,625 houses were damaged by the disasters, and 1,620 farmlands submerged in Kafur, Danja and Ingawa LGAs, while 18,245 people have been rendered homeless due to the rainstorm.”
Muhammad added that properties and farm produce worth millions of naira were also destroyed as a result of the flooding.
“The agency has already assessed the affected houses and farmlands to assist the victims, while the state government would soon start distribution of relief assistance to the victims,” he said
23 Dead, 74 Injured, Several Farms Destroyed In Benue
At least 23 persons have already lost their lives in four of the 11 local government areas of Benue State affected by flood.
The director general, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mustapha Habib, disclosed that the agency had provide ] water treatment trucks to check the outbreak of water borne diseases due to contaminated water.
The executive secretary, State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) Dr. Emmanuel Shior, who disclosed this during the flag off of the distribution of food to displaced victims, explained that 74 persons also sustained varying degrees of injuries from snake bites and other harms associated with the flood.
So far, he said, 116,084 persons are displaced, 14,040 farms are submerged with 12,856 households affected by the floods.
He lamented the excavation of sand and other unhealthy activities at the river bank in the name of moulding blocks.
On the issue of accommodation, The ES said, “for now we are taking care of the displaced persons at the community level, because the option we had was the International market but on reaching there the management raised concerns that most of the stores had been allocated to people already; there is also no security in the market and even the empty stores in the market are without doors.”
On his part, the NEMA boss, who was represented by the principal, Search and Rescue Officer, Digha John, said, “The water treatment trucks are being deployed to states worse hit by flood and Benue is and two other states are the first to benefit from it. ”
Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom, during an assessment and inspection tour of the flood ravaged areas in Makurdi, the Benue state capital, appealed to members of the National Assembly from Benue state to canvass for the dredging of River Benue so as to find a permanent solution.
18 Dead In Niger State
In Niger State, 18 people have so far lost their lives to flood and 21 out of the 25 local government areas in the state have been ravaged by flood.
Statistics released by the director-general of the State Emergency Management Agency, NSEMA, said 382 communities were affected and 86 of them completely taken over by flood, with the people displaced.
The data showed 50,000 people were displaced and living in 15 IDP camps, with Mokwa local government area having the highest number with seven camps.
15 Dead, 886 Houses Destroyed, 876 Households Displaced In Borno
No fewer than 15 persons, including a child, were lost to flood in Borno State while 886 houses, including farmlands, were destroyed, and 876 households displaced.
Following reports of the flood disaster that affected some of the local government areas of the state , the Borno state governor, Professor Babagana Zulum set up a committee under the chairmanship of the deputy governor, Umar Usman Kadafur, to visit all flood affected areas across the state with a view to assessing the situation and proffering lasting solutions to the affected areas.
The committee commenced its assignment with physical verification of collapsed buildings, damaged infrastructure and farmlands destroyed by the flood. The committee discovered that in Damboa LGA, 440 households were affected by the flood while 886 houses were destroyed across eight communities.
In Chibok local government area, the team discovered that 436 households were affected by the flood disaster in three communities, while several hectares of cultivated farmlands were submerged.
The assessment was conducted by members of the committee alongside officials of SEMA, local government officials and community leaders of the affected communities.
Speaking to Journalists, the director general of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) , Haijya Yabawa Kolo, said the assessment of the affected areas was still ongoing.
“Unfortunately, the flood which wreaked havoc due to volume of rain this year in the state is beyond the imagination of our agency,” she said.
Flood Kills 75, Ravages 31,000 Households In Yobe
At least a total of 75 people were confirmed killed by flood and windstorm disasters across 255 communities of the 17 local government areas of Yobe State.
The executive secretary of the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Dr Mohammed Goje, while speaking on the matter said the disaster had also affected a total of 31, 262 households across the state.
Goje, who stated that the fatalities were recorded within the last six months, said the disaster equally displaced 6, 592 people at Bade, Jakusko, Gujba and Gulani local government areas.
He said there have been reports of farmlands being inundated and loss of tens of livestock across the affected populations.
“While MSNA is still ongoing, the preliminary report indicates that over 196 communities across the 17 LGAs have lost 100 hectares of land due to the flood. Gory images of livestock killed and washed away by the flood have been recorded across some of the communities.
Flood Sacks Over 30 Communities In Rivers
The raging floods occasioned by the overflow of River Niger, Orashi Rivers and their tributaries have so far sacked more than 30 communities in Rivers State.
The communities are in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni, Ahoada-East, Ahoada-West and Abua/Odual local government areas of the state.
The authorities of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni and Ahoada-West local government areas have set up 15 and four Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps, respectively.
However, the authorities of Ahoada-East and Abua/Odual local government areas are yet to make any moves aimed at setting up IDP camps to relocate communities affected by the flood.
Meanwhile, Rivers State Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike last Tuesday approved the release of N1 Billion for victims of flood in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni and Ahoada-West local government areas.
The governor also announced the setting up of a taskforce to coordinate the distribution of relief materials to affected communities in the state.
Wike, in a statement made issued in Port Harcourt by his Media, Kelvin Ebiri, empathized with the flood victims.
Flood Ravages 7 Plateau LGs
Seven local government area of Plateau state have been affected by floods. They are Quanpan, Wase , Kanam, Langtang North/Langtang South, Pankshin and some part of Jos North LGA .
Our correspondent report that more than six people lost their lives while property including farmlands and houses worth millions of naira were destroyed in the process.
Speaking to our correspondent in Jos, Mr Eugene Nyelong, the North Central coordinator, NEMA, said that the water had receded and that most of the displaced people had gone back to their various abodes, adding that NEMA is making frantic effort to provide succour and relief materials to them.
Nyelong explained that based on NIMET’s prediction that there will be rainfall up to November this year and urged people to go to higher grounds and avoid areas prone to flooding, so that they will not be caught unawares by flood.
“On our part we have been sensitizing the people; yesterday was World Disaster Risk Reduction Day. We have been reaching out to communities to tell them the need to stay away from flood prone area,” he said.
10 Delta Communities Affected
Over 10 communities in Delta State have again suffered severe flooding while several families are taking refuge away from their homes after they were sacked by flood.
Affected areas include Ewulu, Oko, lllah, Irri, Patani, Abala Unor and Abala Obodo, and communities in Aniocha South, Oshimili South, Oshimili North, Isoko South, Patani, Ndokwa East local government areas of the state,
